Mohamed Salah praised as more complete than Cristiano Ronaldo by Rafa Benitez

Mohamed Salah has been hailed as the more complete player compared to Cristiano Ronaldo by Spanish coach Rafa Benitez.

The former Liverpool boss, who has watched Salah’s rise from a determined young winger into one of the world’s most consistent forwards, believes the Egyptian offers more to his team than the Portuguese icon.

Benitez, who had a brief and often tense spell at Real Madrid in the 2015-2016 season, knows Ronaldo’s qualities well. He clashed with the star during that time, and stories from their disagreements remain famous. When once asked if Benitez had helped him improve free kicks, Ronaldo joked, “You can always learn from coaches. Some things yes, others no.”

Despite those memories, Benitez still respects Ronaldo’s talent. He said in a recent interview that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is “the best finisher of all time.” Yet he also stressed that Salah has grown into a player who offers more across the pitch, noting simply, “Salah is more complete.”

The comparison is bound to spark debate, but for Salah, it is another recognition of his lasting impact.