Ronaldo is the world's best: Real coach Benitez

Madrid: Real Madrid Football Club coach Rafael Benitez believes that "there is no debate" over whether or not star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world.

The Portugal star, who scored five against Spanish side Espanyol on Saturday to become Madrid's top scorer in La Liga history (231 goals), took his tally to eight in two matches with a hat-trick in Tuesday's 4-0 Champions League win over Ukrainian football club Shakhtar Donetsk.

Benitez has no doubt that no player currently comes close to Ronaldo's phenomenal standards.

"There is no debate, he is the best in the world. I hold him in the highest regard. I am surprised that so much attention is paid to what people say about Cristiano and not to what happens on the field," Benitez was quoted as saying by goal.com on Wednesday.

The coach was delighted with the number of chances his side created against Mircea Lucescu's (coach of Shakhtar Donetsk) side despite accepting that they were not at their best.

"It was a difficult game. They are a good team in possession, they move between the lines and switch the play well, which makes it difficult to get control of the game," he said.

"In spite of all that, and without playing brilliantly, we did create a lot of chances," Benitez said.