Rafa Benitez reveals Liverpool tried to sign Gareth Bale from Southampton when

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly not happy with comments made by Gareth Bale’s agent, who claimed his client “doesn’t want to be the best in selling underwear”. “There’s no hatred there”.

He also had praise for Cristiano Ronaldo, saying the Portugese striker was the only player guaranteed a place in the Madrid starting 11.

Ronaldo is just one-goal away from becoming Real Madrid’s all-time goalscorer, moving ahead of former Spanish global Raul, which would give the Portuguese maestro another impressive accolade.

“I am not satisfied, I always want more”.

Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has hit back at Sam Allardyce after the new Sunderland manager criticised Benitez in his autobiography.

Receiving his fourth Golden Boot Award in Madrid, CR7 said, “I want to win and I’m at the best club in the world”.

Real Sociedad have disappointed so far and coach David Moyes would find the pressure eased if his side can perform against Atletico Madrid.

Later Benitez played down the issues between his two forwards.

“Back in 2006 I went to see Bolton-Southampton. I don’t have a problem with any player in the squad”, he concluded.

They are two individualists, both supreme dribblers with a penchant for the spectacular who thrive on being the focal point on the pitch.

The Real Madrid president is still criticised for spending 100m euros on Bale, so milking the fact that he played a huge part in Wales’ first qualification for a major tournament since 1958 made ideal sense.

Rather than assuaging the situation, it appears that all the agent succeeded at was getting Bale to hate him.

But the jury remains out on the success of the switch.

Rumours of rifts with key members of the playing staff, most notably Cristiano Ronaldo, have also been a feature of the fallout from the Madrid derby ” something Benitez was keen to refute.