Rafael Benitez, who worked with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, insists Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Steven Gerrard were superior all-round players to the Manchester United legend
Rafael Benitez
Rafael Benitez has recalled working with Cristiano Ronaldo(Image: 2025 Jean Catuffe)
Rafael Benitez has insisted that Mohamed Salah is a more well-rounded player than Cristiano Ronaldo.
The former Liverpool manager regularly locked horns with Manchester United and Ronaldo during his six years as Anfield boss between 2004 and 2010. The Spaniard remains closely connected to Merseyside, even having a brief spell as Everton boss.
In between managing Liverpool and Everton, he took charge of clubs including Inter Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid, managing many of the world's top stars, including Ronaldo in Spain.
Pressed on whether he could choose between Salah - a player he hasn't actually worked with - and Ronaldo, Benitez told Shoot For Love: "Ronaldo is perhaps the best finisher, but Salah is more complete."
Benitez didn't work with Ronaldo for long. He was sacked in January 2016, just seven months into his reign at the Bernabeu. Following his departure, speculation emerged that a possible rift with the United legend played a role in his dismissal.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Benitez has insisted he didn't leave Real Madrid because of Ronaldo(Image: Eurasia Sport Images, Getty Images)
However, he has since dismissed those claims. He said: "It's not true that I left Real Madrid because of Cristiano Ronaldo." Instead, Benitez has been complimentary about the Portuguese icon, saying: "It's not true that I left Real Madrid because of Cristiano Ronaldo.
"There was never any problem between us; he's a great player. Extraordinary. I left due to internal issues at the club, but nothing to do with Ronaldo."
As for the best player he has ever coached, Benitez overlooked both Ronaldo and Salah. During an appearance on The Overlap's It Was What It Was podcast, it was Steven Gerrard who came to mind instead.
Cristiano Ronaldo battles for the ball with Steven Gerrard in 2007
Benitez says Steven Gerrard is the best player he has ever worked with
He said: "He's the best player I have ever coached. In terms of a complete player. "Stevie has the power, he could score goals, good in the air, both feet, he could shoot from distance, short, taking penalties, deliveries, corners free-kicks. Defending, if it was necessary. He had energy, he trained well and was a good professional.
"The point with him is he was a box-to-box midfielder from the beginning and little by little he was understanding the game. He had all the potential and he was getting better in terms of position and decisions later on. But he was great from the beginning."