None of the three top Spanish teams have played teams anywhere near their stratosphere, yet only Real Madrid remains unscathed through the first three weeks of the 2016-17 season.

Heading into the season's third week, Atlético Madrid was still looking for their first win of the young season, and coming out of the weekend, Barcelona find themselves looking up at Real Madrid in the leaderboard. Newly promoted Alavés from Basque Country in the north of Spain has suddenly assumed the titles of world beaters as they have managed to upset both Atleti and Barça. First they played Diego Simeone's side to a goalless draw and then trot into the Camp Nou and upset Lionel Messi and co. 2-1. 

Messi and Luis Suarez did start out on the bench for manager Luis Enrique, although Neymar was out there, sporting a new bleach blonde look somewhat in solidarity with newly bleached Messi. Andres Iniesta also rode the pine for the Spanish Champions. Messi and Suarez did come on later as substitutes.

Jeremy Mathieu managed to draw Barça even at 1-1 with a header that came after Deyverson's goal in the 39th minute. However Ibai Gomez put the visitors ahead with a goal in the 64th minute that wound up securing Alavés' first win in Barcelona since 2000.

Atlético Madrid were finally able to come out of a weekend with three points, as they manhandled Celta Vigo 4-0. Budding French superstar Antoine Griezmann bagged himself a brace as Koke and Angel Correa also contributed to the four goal tally. The win brings them into the top five with games still left to play Sunday, however they are still a point behind Barça and four behind league leaders Real Madrid.

Los blancos remained perfect through the first three weeks, earning an impressive home win 5-2 over Osasuna. Saturday also marked the season debut for Cristiano Ronaldo, and eventually Karim Benzema. Ronaldo started the game, and needed only six minutes to start his annual goal assault, converting a cross from Gareth Bale to open the match's scoring.

Ronaldo played about 70 minutes - more or less what Zinedine Zidane outlined pre-match - with Benzema coming on for the final 20 minutes of match play. Danilo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Luka Modric also scored for the European champions in what was arguably their most dominant performance of the young 2016-17 season.

Off the field, Ronaldo has reportedly asked for a contract extension that would keep him in Madrid until age 40. His current deal expires in the summer of 2018, and he has said that he envisions himself at the Bernabeu until age 40. And with him playing at the level he is now at 31 with no signs of slowing down, it's hard to argue that his vision is impossible. 

Image via: Flickr