New Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez believes Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player now than when he coached against him in the English Premier League, and admitted he tried to sign the Portugese star over a decade ago.

Benitez was manager of Liverpool from 2004-2010, around the same time Ronaldo was terrorising Premier League defences.

"He was a big problem for us when he was playing for United, he was someone we had to be aware of every time.

"Now he is a much better player, he has improved, he has much better confidence. He has been growing and growing, and now he is one of the best players in the world".

Before his tenure at Liverpool, Benitez was in charge of Spanish side Valencia, and admitted he had tried to sign a young Ronaldo from Portugese side Sporting Lisbon.

"I knew Cristiano before from when I was at Valencia.

"He was a player we wanted to sign, but obviously he went to Manchester, and we couldn't."