Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafa Benitez clash in Real Madrid trainning session

The relationship between Cristiano Ronaldo and ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez at Real Madrid may already been on the rocks after just two weeks on the training pitch.

The former Manchester United hero has been the centrifugal point of the Spanish giants under both Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti – scoring 313 goals in 300 games for the club.

But the Spanish boss has been suggesting since his arrival to the Santiago Bernabeu that his Real Madrid will be based around teamplay rather than a marquee individual.

In a press conference before Real's pre-season game against Roma, Benitez refused to say that Ronaldo is "the best player in the world", putting him on the same level as Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez.

Benitez then handed Bale the leading role in his attack during the 0-0 draw against the Serie A outfit, giving the Wales international freedom to play behind the striker, with Ronaldo on the flank.

It seems that these gestures may have not suited Ronaldo's legendary ego.

The Portuguese star did not disguise these frustrations with Benitez during a Real Madrid training session on 22 July.

Firstly, Ronaldo voiced his anger after Benitez ruled out one of his goals during a training game, shouting "he gives everything against the Portuguese".

The Ballon D'or continued to sledge Benitez's methods in the final exercise of the session.

The manager asked his players to hit the cross bar from a long distance, with Ronaldo furiously screaming: "It's meant to be the ball in there, in the net. Not this sh*t."

Benitez tried to play down talk over his bad relationship with the player in a press conference, praising Ronaldo and finally labelling him as "the best in the world".

"My relationship with him is the same as the rest of the players. I speak to them all. There are those who are speculating on this or that but I can assure you that the relationship is totally normal," the boss said.

"I always try and get the best from my players. Seeing Cristiano close-up and watching him work, you can appreciate why he has won so many trophies. Clearly he is the best in the world.

"He is a competitive guy and that's the key. This is a positive thing not a defect."