Rafa Benitez believes Cristiano Ronaldo ended any debate as to who is the best player in the world with Tuesday’s hat trick for Real Madrid.
Ronaldo grabbed three of Los Blancos’ four goals against Shakhtar Donetsk only days after getting five of Madrid’s six at Espanyol.
“What surprises me is that there’s so much attention on what is said than what he does on the field,” Benitez said regarding Ronaldo, AS reports.
“There’s no debate. He’s the best in the world. I hold him in the highest regard.”
It wasn’t all good news for Benitez, though, as Madrid saw Gareth Bale, Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos go off injured.
“Bale had a spasm in the calf and we have to wait a day or two to know the extent,” the Coach revealed.
“Ramos and Varane picked up knocks. I’m optimistic about them. With Bale we have to wait.
“I brought Mateo Kovacic on because the full-backs went high up and he goes inside a lot. If Bale isn’t fit then anyone could start.
“Kovacic played because of the characteristics of the opponent but in the future it could be Jese, Cheryshev or Lucas Vazquez.
“Shakhtar gave us a tough game. They had possession and made it hard for us when they were defending. They have skilful and fast players and with all that, it wasn’t easy.
“But we still had chances. Without being brilliant we had chances and scored. I’m pleased we took advantage and didn’t concede. The injuries are the only negative.”
