The Portuguese looked content after a tense week in
Australia, but his new coach must build a harmonious relationship if the
two are to lead Madrid to success this season
This was what the Real Madrid fans will have wanted to see. A convincing 4-1 win over Manchester City was the perfect response after a dour draw against Roma. And perhaps more importantly, Cristiano Ronaldo was smiling again.
The Portuguese publicly backed former coach Carlo Ancelotti just days before his sacking in May, writing on Twitter that he hoped he would continue working with the Italian. That was a clear message to president Florentino Perez that he did not want another managerial change. Nor did he want to work with Rafa Benitez.
Earlier this month, he then said that he was looking forward to linking up with the Spanish coach. "I really want to start working with Benitez," he told television cameras in Portugal. His body language and facial expression, however, said otherwise and he warned: "It's a challenge to coach at the biggest club in the world."
Benitez then upset Madrid's main man when he was asked if Ronaldo was the best player in the world. "It's enough to say he's one of the best," the former Liverpool and Napoli boss said. It isn't enough, however - not for anyone at Real. Even the 16-year-old Martin Odegaard (a self-proclaimed Lionel Messi fan) had said at his Real unveiling in January that Ronaldo was the best.
Whether Benitez was trying to tell the Portuguese that he is the boss or motivate his prized player, it was the wrong thing to say and sure enough, Rafa rectified on Thursday, likely advised by someone senior at the club. "Working with Ronaldo, you realise just why he is the best in the world," the Spaniard said.
The Portuguese publicly backed former coach Carlo Ancelotti just days before his sacking in May, writing on Twitter that he hoped he would continue working with the Italian. That was a clear message to president Florentino Perez that he did not want another managerial change. Nor did he want to work with Rafa Benitez.
Earlier this month, he then said that he was looking forward to linking up with the Spanish coach. "I really want to start working with Benitez," he told television cameras in Portugal. His body language and facial expression, however, said otherwise and he warned: "It's a challenge to coach at the biggest club in the world."
Benitez then upset Madrid's main man when he was asked if Ronaldo was the best player in the world. "It's enough to say he's one of the best," the former Liverpool and Napoli boss said. It isn't enough, however - not for anyone at Real. Even the 16-year-old Martin Odegaard (a self-proclaimed Lionel Messi fan) had said at his Real unveiling in January that Ronaldo was the best.
Whether Benitez was trying to tell the Portuguese that he is the boss or motivate his prized player, it was the wrong thing to say and sure enough, Rafa rectified on Thursday, likely advised by someone senior at the club. "Working with Ronaldo, you realise just why he is the best in the world," the Spaniard said.
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