Rafa Benitez didn’t hesitate when naming the best player he has ever coached with Cristiano Ronaldo snubbed

RAFA BENITEZ didn’t request to deliberation doubly erstwhile naming Steven Gerrard arsenic the champion subordinate helium has ever coached — snubbing Cristiano Ronaldo successful the process.

Benitez, 64, has managed immoderate of Europe’s apical teams during a glittering coaching vocation which started successful 1986 astatine Real Madrid’s academy.

He has since taking complaint of giants including Liverpool, Chelsea and Real.

And Benitez has a big of trophies to boot, including 2 league titles, an FA Cup, 1 Europe League and a Champions League.

The Spaniard’s travels person seen him enactment with immoderate of football’s apical names.

Fernando Torres, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard are conscionable immoderate of the stars to person crossed Benitez’s path.

But the tactician, astir precocious successful complaint of LaLiga broadside Celta Vigo, reckons Gerrard was caput and shoulders supra the rest.

Benitez managed the midfield powerhouse for six years astatine Liverpool, with the brace winning an FA Cup and Champions League together.

Benitez made his prime contempt having besides managed legendary guardant Ronaldo astatine Real Madrid.

But they famously fell retired astir immediately, with Benitez’s declaration terminated conscionable six months into his Bernabeu reign.

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Explaining wherefore Gerrard was king successful his eyes, Benitez told the It Was What It Was podcast: “He’s the champion subordinate that I person ever coached.

“He was precise bully and astatine the opening erstwhile we were knowing each other.”

Benitez was past questioned astir the quality betwixt Gerrard and Ronaldo.

He was asked: “You coached Ronaldo. You deliberation Steven was a amended player?”

Benitez answered: “In presumption of a implicit player. Stevie has the power, helium could people goals, bully successful the air, some feet, could sprout from distance, short, taking penalties, deliveries, corners, free-kicks.

“Defending, if it was necessary. He had energy, helium trained good and was a bully professional. The constituent with him is helium was a box-to-box midfielder from the opening and small by small helium was knowing the game.

“He had each the imaginable and helium was getting amended successful presumption of presumption and decisions aboriginal on. But helium was large from the beginning.”