Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed by Rafa Benitez as ex-Real Madrid & Liverpool boss names best player he’s ever worked with

Former Real Madrid and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo when naming the best player he has ever worked with.

The Spaniard, who has managed a host of top European clubs including Chelsea, Real Madrid and Liverpool, got the opportunity to work with world-class players like Frank Lampard, Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard. He briefly managed Ronaldo in Spain as his contract was terminated at Los Blancos within six months of his appointment in January 2016.

Benitez recently spoke to Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast – brought to you by Sky Bet – where he discussed several aspects of his managerial career, including the best player he has ever worked with. While many would have expected it to be Ronaldo – considering the Portuguese is widely regarded as one of the greatest to have ever graced the game, the Spanish coach instead named Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.

In one of the questions, Neville asked the 64-year-old if he never trusted Gerrard in a two-man midfield to which he replied: “It’s not about trust. Stevie is the best player that I have ever coached. Because when I was in Madrid I couldn’t say that! But now I can say that. It’s very clear. He had everything.”

He added: “What was missing was the tactical knowledge a foreign player has because they play in this position. He was so good, he had so much energy that he could get into the box, go as a full-back, do whatever he wanted to do, but he needed to understand the position.”

The former La Liga-winning Valencia coach was last in charge of Celta Vigo who parted ways with him in March 2024. Since then Benitez has been without a club. He was briefly linked with the USMNT manager’s job after Gregg Berhalter’s departure, but Mauricio Pochettino is now the frontrunner for that role.

Ronaldo probably won’t lose any sleep over Benitez’s snub as he prepares for the start of the new Saudi Pro League season. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will line up for Al-Nassr in their opening game against Al-Raed on Thursday.