Madrid: Real Madrid star striker Cristiano Ronaldo sparked a storm of media speculation over his future on Monday by saying he was ‘sad’ at the club.

Ronaldo scored a brace in Madrid’s 3-0 win over Granada on Sunday but did not celebrate either goal. Quizzed by reporters after the game at the Santiago Bernabeu, he said: “It could be because I am a bit sad. That is the only reason. When I don’t celebrate goals, I am not happy.”

Ronaldo was elusive about the reasons for his unhappiness, saying only that it was professional rather than personal. “I am not going to say more. People know why,” he was quoted as saying in the media.

Asked if he was upset because Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta was crowned Uefa Best Player in Europe on Thursday, he replied: “No, it’s not that. There are more important things.”

Iniesta deserved the award, he added. The 27-year-old Portuguese said his thigh was hurting but he hoped it would recover in the next few days to allow him to play.

“He can’t take it any more,” headlined the front page of top selling sports daily Marca. Ronaldo “disconcerts Madrid and sounds alarm bells after not celebrating his goals against Granada,” it said.

Ronaldo had gone to see Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez on Saturday to say he was unhappy in the club, the paper said, without citing a source.

Marca said teammates, who were not named, believed he had become more miserable since Iniesta was honoured. Ronaldo and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi had also been in the running.

“Does he want to go?” asked an article in rival sports paper AS. Ronaldo’s “attitude is a depth charge that could explode with serious consequences if no-one intervenes urgently at the club.”

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho had criticised their performance against Granada.

“I did not like the game as we had little rhythm. We have had little time to work this week and we were slow. We got the points but that is not enough, we have to play better,” he said.

The coach had already laid in to the team’s performance in their previous first division game, a 2-1 defeat at derby rivals Getafe, which he had described as “unacceptable in every aspect”.

Real Madrid redeemed themselves on Wednesday, though, claiming the season’s first piece of silverware with a 2-1 victory over 10-man Barca that delivered the Spanish Super Cup on away goals.

Barcelona, meanwhile, edged out Valencia 1-0 thanks to Adriano's first-half screamer to remain perfect after three games and lead the standings.

They had the chance to decide the game after Adriano’s goal, but Cesc Fabregas missed two clear chances and the hosts struggled to protect their slimmest of leads in the final minutes.

“The important thing is that we pulled out the win,” said Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, recently crowned Uefa’s best player in Europe. “We could have increased the margin, above all in the first half. When you have chances you have to put them in because if not you suffer later.”

One of the few bright spots for Barcelona was former Arsenal player Alex Song, who fit in seamlessly with his new team, not erring in passes and providing a defensive presence in midfield.

Also Sunday, Athletic Bilbao beat Valladolid 2-0 for the Basques first win of the season. Sevilla drew 0-0 at Rayo Vallecano, and 10-man Levante came from behind to win 3-2 against visiting Espanyol.

In his first start for Madrid since joining from Tottenham, Luka Modric looked eager to justify his $44 million price tag. The Croatia playmaker drew an early save from Antonio “Tono” Rodriguez and combined well with his new teammates.

Barcelona started well with Lionel Messi forcing goalkeeper Diego Alves into a diving parry to keep his early header out. But Diego Alves could do nothing to stop Adriano 22 minutes in.

The Brazilian left back took a short pass from a corner, used one touch to gather momentum, and rocketed a right-footed shot from outside the area past the outstretched goalkeeper.

Fabregas wasted two excellent opportunities to double the lead on either side of halftime.

Messi drew the defense in and laid off for the unmarked Fabregas to send his chip shot floating by the upright. Then, Fabregas fired high after Alexis Sanchez had found him inside the box.

“We didn’t play an excellent game, but we got a good result against an important team,” said Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who defended Fabregas. “Cesc is important for this team. He will make a difference and score goals for us this season.”

Valencia, which had been limited to a miss by Roberto Soldado in the first 45 minutes, provoked nerves at Camp Nou after the restart as it started to pepper Barcelona’s area.