Cristiano Ronaldo blasts Rafa Benitez's training methods
It appears Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez is struggling to win over all of his new players, with his training methods. Namely, a certain Cristiano Ronaldo seems to disagree with the Spaniard's way of work.
It appears Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez is struggling to win over all of his new players, with his training methods. Namely, a certain Cristiano Ronaldo seems to disagree with the Spaniard's way of work.
In a training session yesterday, Ronaldo was filmed by Spanish television cameras, as he appeared to criticise the former Liverpool manager as Los Blancos prepared to face Manchester City in the International Champions Cup on Friday.
As reported by Spanish paper AS, Ronaldo was seen disagreeing with a decision made by Benitez to disallow one his goals in a mini training match before the Portugal captain claimed: ‘Only the fouls by the Portuguese are seen.'
Following the disallowed goal the former Manchester United man shouted "Caralho Vai!." A less than complimentary Portuguese way for Ronaldo to show his disagreement with the decision.
The discontent did not end there from the three-time world player of the year. Towards the end of the session on Wednesday, Ronaldo blasted one of Benitez's training games.
The Madrid players were not allowed to finish training until they had hit the crossbar, an activity focused on improving accuracy. However, the 30-year-old made his thoughts on the activity clear. He was heard saying: "It is meant to be the ball in there, in the net, not this s**t."
It appears the relationship between the former Manchester United and Liverpool men is already becoming strained, so early into the former Napoli boss' tenure. Although after the session Benitez was questioned on his relationship with Ronaldo.
As seen in the Daily Mail, he said: "My relationship with him is as it is with the other players. I speak a lot with all of them. It’s absolutely normal.
When the new boss was quizzed as to why Ronaldo looked so unhappy in training, he said: "He is very competitive and that is a virtue, not a defect."
Ronaldo was a huge supporter of previous Madrid boss, Carlo Ancelotti, however he does not seem to share the same love for his new boss.
Benitez has been tasked with getting the best out of Gareth Bale, following the Wales international's dip in form during his second season in Madrid.
Having been isolated on the right-wing at times last season, under Ancelotti, Bale was deployed in the number 10 role, a position that gives him more freedom to roam, during Madrid's 0-0 friendly draw against Roma.
His relationship with Ronaldo also appears to be strained. Videos have surfaced showing Ronaldo's displeasure at the Welshman's performance during that draw in Australia and Benitez's insistence to incorporate Bale may have an adverse effect on the performances and attitude of Madrid's star man.