Rafa Benítez: When I was at Madrid, I couldn’t say it, but I coached a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Real Madrid coach Rafael Benítez has said he managed a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo during his coaching career. That player, according to him, is Steven Gerrard, who became a key figure for Liverpool under his tutelage and one of the best midfielders of his time.

• Rafa Benítez calls Steven Gerrard the best player he has ever coached
• Gerrard was a key figure at Liverpool under Benítez, playing 292 games and scoring 104 goals and 73 assists
• Benítez admitted that Gerrard lacked the tactical maturity of foreign players, but his energy and versatility on the pitch made up for it

Rafael Benítez, who has managed some of the biggest stars in world football during his coaching career, recently declared in an interview with The Overlap podcast that Steven Gerrard is the best player he has ever coached. This statement is particularly interesting considering that Benítez has also managed players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso.

Benítez had a very close relationship with Gerrard during his time at Liverpool, between 2004 and 2010. During this time, Gerrard became a key figure in the team and reached his peak under Benítez’s leadership. He played 292 games for Liverpool under Benítez, in which he scored 104 goals and added 73 assists.

Stevie is the best player I’ve ever coached

The former Real Madrid coach admitted that when he was at Madrid, he could not openly state that Gerrard was better than Ronaldo, but now that he is no longer bound by club duties, he can say it without any inhibitions. “Stevie is the best player I have ever coached. When I was at Madrid I couldn’t say that, but now I can. He had everything,” Benítez said.

Benítez praised Gerrard’s exceptional energy and ability to contribute in all positions on the pitch. Gerrard was known for his versatility – he could withdraw as a defender, play in midfield or get involved in attack.

“He had so much energy that he could go into the penalty area, play as a full-back, do whatever he wanted. But he needed to understand his position better,” Benítez said, adding that Gerrard may have lacked the tactical maturity of foreign players who were often more specialised.

Steven Gerrard – Liverpool icon

Steven Gerrard spent most of his career at Liverpool and although he never won a Premier League title, his contribution to the club is undeniable. He won nine trophies with Liverpool during his career. Including the famous Champions League in 2005, where he played a key role in the legendary final against AC Milan.

Gerrard’s loyalty to Liverpool and his performances on the pitch have made him one of the most respected players of his generation. Although Benítez has managed many great players, Gerrard holds a special place in his heart. “He had everything you could want in a player,” Benítez concluded.

Benítez’s statement about Gerrard sparked debate among fans and football experts. While some agree with Benítez’s assessment, others point out that Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d’Ors, is one of the best players in football history. Either way, for Benítez, Steven Gerrard remains the best player he has had the privilege of managing.

Source: TalkSPORT, The Overlap