Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez denies rift with Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly unhappy with Benitez’s training methods at Real Madrid

Rafael Benitez has dismissed talks of a rift with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid manager has been forced to respond after reports emerged yesterday of a training ground bust-up between the two.

The media were quick to latch on to the incident leaving the Spaniard with no other option than to try cooling things down. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the club?’s match against Manchester City in the International Champion?s Cup, Benitez attempted to diffuse the situation by heaping praise on his star player.

“?Having worked with him these last few days I've realised how competitive he really is and that's what makes him the best player in the world,”? Benitez said, according to Real Madrid?’s official website. ?”He has already proved that and he's proving it for me now. I'd love if every player was as eager to compete and win. I'm very pleased with him?.”

The Independent had reported that Ronaldo criticised Benitez?s training methods after the Spaniard made the team play the crossbar challenge during their ongoing pre-season tour in Australia. According to Spanish media house AS, Ronaldo reportedly said: ?”The idea is to get the ball in the net. Not this.”?

A television footage surfaced later in the day that showed further tension between the pair. Benitez, who was refereeing a practice match among the Real squad, had disallowed a goal scored by Ronaldo, something he didn’?t take too well.

According to AS, Ronaldo shouted ?”Vai caralho!?” meaning ‘?not in agreement’?. He was seen complaining to Alvaro Arbeloa about the decision and said: ?”He gives everything against the Portuguese.”?

Talks of uneasiness between the pair have been doing the rounds ever since the appointment of Rafael Benitez as Carlo Ancelotti?’s successor. Ronaldo had publically backed the Italian before he was sacked as Madrid boss and rumours had been persisting that all was not well between the new manager and Ronaldo.

There have also been reports that Benitez was looking to make Gareth Bale his main man at Madrid and after the first public instance of a rift between Ronaldo and Benitez, the latter tried to explain his methods without making a direct reference to yesterday?s incident.

“?I speak to him a lot, as I do with all the players. There's nothing strange about the training sessions and the same is true for the conversations. Being competitive is a strength not a weakness. I'm always trying to make the players in my squad stronger and by working with him you appreciate all the titles he has won and why he is the best in the world?,” Benitez said, as reported by the Real website.