Opinion: Bizarre story about Benitez and Ronaldo may explain problem with 80-cap Everton man

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On the day of Cristiano Ronaldo’s first game since returning to Manchester United, a bizarre story has emerged about him and Rafa Benitez.

What’s the story?

Well, in a detailed analysis of what it’s like to manage the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, The Athletic provided an interesting snippet.

They claim that Benitez once delegated a member of staff to give Ronaldo a USB clip, containing footage of how to lose his marker.

Of course, for a player of Ronaldo’s stature, that was an insult.

The Athletic add that the Portugal international responded by informing the staff member that he’ll send a USB of his many goals back to Benitez.

In our view, this incident goes some way to explaining why Benitez is currently having difficulties with James Rodriguez.

Can Benitez handle players like Ronaldo and Rodriguez?

From our point of view, it seems Benitez is the type of manager to prefer the sum of his parts, rather than individualism in football.

As The Athletic explain, the Spaniard is a firm believer in the ethos that no player is as good as everybody together.

His treatment of Ronaldo in the aforementioned incident does not suggest he understands how to handle the ego of a superstar.

Rodriguez, with his 80 caps for Colombia, World Cup Golden Boot and countless medals, is most certainly a superstar.

According to The Athletic, he and Benitez failed to get along at Real Madrid, and their issues have continued at Goodison Park.

Nobody knows how this stand-off will end.

However, judging by what Benitez did to Ronaldo, it’s clear that he may struggle to truly understand how to work with a big-name superstar, which might explain why he doesn’t get along with Rodriguez.