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Ronaldo rates Mbappe higher than Benzema

Cristiano Ronaldo has played alongside some of the biggest names in football during his illustrious career so is as well placed as anyone to comment on how they compare.

And in a recent episode on his new YouTube channel UR Cristiano, former teammate Rio Ferdinand put the 39-year-old to the test by asking Ronaldo to compare a series of top players and after opting for David Beckham over Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs over Becks, he was then asked who he preferred between Karim Benzema and his compatriot, Kylian Mbappe.

Ronaldo of course had the pleasure of playing alongside the former for several years during his time at Real Madrid but with Mbappe having recently arrived at the Bernabeu, fans were keen to see who was selected.

Taking no time to hesitate, Ronaldo quickly plumped for Mbappe, who has already surpassed Benzema’s total of goals at international level with 48 to the Al Ittihad marksman’s 37 for Les Bleus.

Having spent a successful period together with the Spanish giants, Benzema and Ronaldo, alongside Gareth Bale, created the ‘BBC’ trio which was widely regarded as one of the most deadly front-threes football has ever seen.

While it’s important not to read too much into quickfire questions such as these, the former Lyon man’s is on record as praising Lionel Messi who has a long-standing rivalry with the Al Nassr star.

When asked back in 2022 about Messi’s performances for PSG, Benzema slammed anyone who dare question the capabilities of the Inter Miami man.

“Messi just needs time to adapt,” he told Telefoot.

“Look at what he does on the pitch. In any case, you can’t criticise a player like that.

“Whoever criticises doesn’t know anything about football in reality,” Benzema continued.

Ronaldo and Messi have of course been pitted against each other for many years.

Their spells at Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively brought the best from two of the game’s greatest players.

But Ronaldo admitted he is happy to have shared the limelight with such a talented individual.

“I was curious because we shared this stage for 15 years me and him,” Ronaldo said in 2021.

“I don’t know if that has ever happened in football, the same two guys on the stage at the same time, so it’s not easy.

“Of course we have a good relationship, we have not had dinner together yet but I hope in the future.”

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