Cristiano Ronaldo Will Beat Lionel Messi to 2016 Pichichi, Says Carlo Ancelotti

Former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is backing Los Blancos superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to repeat his achievement of last season and finish as La Liga's top scorer ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi in 2015-16.

Dismissed in May following a disappointing second season in charge at the Bernabeu, Ancelotti left Real with his stellar reputation still intact and having gained the support of much of the dressing room.

Under Ancelotti, Ronaldo netted 48 goals in 35 league games last season to pip Messi to the acclaimed Pichichi trophy for La Liga's top scorer, per WhoScored.com.

The Italian manager is expecting the same result this season despite neither Ronaldo nor Messi having found the back of the net after two matches of the new term, per Chinese outlet Sina Sports (h/t Marca's M. Sainz de Vicuna):

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I have no doubt about Cristiano Ronaldo, despite him failing to find the net in Real Madrid's first two games of the season. I know Cristiano really well, and if I were a gambling man, I'd bet on him to be La Liga's top scorer this term. He notched up 61 goals under me last year. It was incredible. Only the greatest players in the history of the game can boast those kinds of stats. Spain is really lucky to have both Messi and him playing football there.

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New Real manager Rafael Benitez has overseen a goalless draw against Sporting Gijon and a 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis so far in the new league season.

The former Liverpool and Napoli boss will need Ronaldo in top form if he is to lead Real to their first La Liga title since 2012.

Last season's treble winners Barca are as dangerous as ever, but Atletico Madrid should also challenge once again.

In the absence of a galactico signing in the summer—as noted by Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell—the likes of Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale will be relied upon to provide the attacking drive in the side:

Ronaldo will turn 31 in February, and it is unlikely that he will be able to consistently produce his best form for much longer.

But he surely still has at least one more immense season left in him, having just garnered his best return at Real since his arrival from Manchester United in 2009 last term.