Ronaldo: Benitez should stay

Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Rafa Benitez to stay on as Real Madrid boss as he “feels good” under the incumbent Coach.

Rumours of a rift between Ronaldo and Benitez rose at the beginning of the season, but the Portuguese has since rediscovered his goalscoring form, netting four against Malmo on Wednesday, and he praised the 55-year-old for doing “a good job”.

“It’s not been just personal issues, also physical ones, but I won’t use them as excuses [for my form],” he told ESPN.

“We’re not aliens, I’m not one, and we also go through difficult times, but they’re in the past and now I’m getting better.

“We all have bad times, and it’s normal that we all have ups and downs.

“Now, what I want most is to keep improving every game, help Real Madrid and have a good season on a personal level.

“I’ll never tell you or anyone what happened [in regards to his personal problem] because it’ll stay with me, but what I can say is that I had some problems at the start of the season.

“I’m now much better, I feel better and it shows on the pitch.

“[On his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or], personally I think I had a very good season [in 2014-15], maybe the best season I’ve had.

“I’m fine, I’m in a good place, but so are Neymar and [Lionel] Messi because they won the Champions League.

“Therefore I think this year will be a bit more difficult, but it’s not impossible. I’m glad and happy to be nominated as [2015’] best player.

“I feel good with [Benitez]. I think he is doing a good job and should be allowed to continue like this.”

Tags Cristiano Ronaldo Rafa Benitez
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