RAFA BENITEZ didn’t need to think twice when naming Steven Gerrard as the best player he has ever coached — snubbing Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.
Benitez, 64, has managed some of Europe’s top teams during a glittering coaching career which started in 1986 at Real Madrid’s academy.
He has since taking charge of giants including Liverpool, Chelsea and Real.
And Benitez has a host of trophies to boot, including two league titles, an FA Cup, one Europe League and a Champions League.
The Spaniard’s travels have seen him work with some of football’s top names.
Fernando Torres, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard are just some of the stars to have crossed Benitez’s path.
But the tactician, most recently in charge of LaLiga side Celta Vigo, reckons Gerrard was head and shoulders above the rest.
Benitez managed the midfield powerhouse for six years at Liverpool, with the pair winning an FA Cup and Champions League together.
Benitez made his choice despite having also managed legendary forward Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
But they famously fell out almost immediately, with Benitez’s contract terminated just six months into his Bernabeu reign.
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Explaining why Gerrard was king in his eyes, Benitez told the It Was What It Was podcast: “He’s the best player that I have ever coached.
“He was very good and at the beginning when we were knowing each other.”
Benitez was then questioned about the difference between Gerrard and Ronaldo.
He was asked: “You coached Ronaldo. You think Steven was a better player?”
Benitez answered: “In terms of a complete player. Stevie has the power, he could score goals, good in the air, both feet, could shoot from distance, short, taking penalties, deliveries, corners, free-kicks.
“Defending, if it was necessary. He had energy, he trained well and was a good professional. The point with him is he was a box-to-box midfielder from the beginning and little by little he was understanding the game.
“He had all the potential and he was getting better in terms of position and decisions later on. But he was great from the beginning.”
Those numbers in full:
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