'He learned a lot from Ronaldo', former Benzema coach admits CR7 influence

Ronaldo dominated the headlines at Real Madrid while Benzema was growing in silence to become Santiago Bernabeu’s next superstar.

Cristiano Ronaldo overshadowed Karim Benzema at Real Madrid but helped him become a better player, according to the Frenchman’s academy coach Armand Garrido.

Benzema claimed the Ballon d’Or on Monday, a deserved prize for his incredible year at Real Madrid.

At 34 years old, the striker is still enjoying top form. But many observers believe he could’ve claimed the award sooner if he hadn’t joined Real Madrid in the same transfer window as Ronaldo.

“Yes, the fact of playing with Cristiano Ronaldo, he was overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo,” Garrido told Stats Perform.

“But at the same time, yes, he learned a lot with Cristiano Ronaldo.

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“He certainly learned how to work, how to train, how to keep a healthy lifestyle.

“Nowadays, there are other players like Cristiano Ronaldo, who are old compared to the kind of players we can be expecting at a very high level, and [Ronaldo] is still playing at top level.

“So, yes, Benzema learned a lot from Cristiano, but he was also overshadowed by Cristiano.”

Speaking on Benzema’s move to Real Madrid in 2009, the former Lyon academy coach added: “When he leaves to sign for Real Madrid, my first thought was that he’s crazy; he chose the toughest club.

“Not [crazy] to join Real, of course, but maybe [it would be better] joining before another club superior to Olympique Lyonnais.

“We did not think that it was the best way to earn a place at Real Madrid. But when he does it, it is when we realise that he’s a world-class player.”