Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has dismissed claims of a rift between the club’s two most expensive players, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, and says the pair are focused solely on winning trophies.
Ronaldo was presented with his fourth Golden Shoe this week, while Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett revived speculation over the pair’s relationship, describing them as “complete opposites” .
Benitez, though, insists that there is no animosity between the pair and that relations within the Real dressing room are more harmonious than most people surmise.
“There is no problem between Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. The both of them are very good players and both want to win,” he told Ondo Cero .
“The Real Madrid dressing room is much better than people think.”
Speculation about the pair’s relationship intensified last season when Ronaldo appeared visibly upset when his team-mate opted to shoot for goal when a pass would have provided the Portuguese forward with a simple tap-in.
Benitez believes the record-breaking Ronaldo will continuing setting new milestones. The Spaniard also praised Ronaldo’s humility.
He told Real Madrid TV : “When a player wins one of these trophies it is a big achievement, but to win four at this level means that behind it all is a lot of hard work, perseverance, an eagerness to succeed and, as he has said so himself, other people helping out.
“These numbers, figures and trophy wins are extremely difficult to achieve and they show that he is a very persistent player who possesses that inner drive to better himself which sets him apart.
“Whenever you have a player who scores so many goals, the team are going to win more games. He spoke clearly and thanked his team-mates. He’s aware of how big a role they play for him and all the success he is enjoying.
“Cristiano is continuing to set new records. Obviously we’re talking about a player with a lot of talent and quality. We’re talking about a player who is not only smashing records, but who is still hungry for more, full of ambition and capable of improving on his figures even further.”
