Cristiano Ronaldo the only "undisputed starter" in Real Madrid, admits Rafa Benitez

Ronaldo scored a hat-trick against Shakhtar in Real Madrid’s Champions League opener

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez has hailed his star forward Cristiano Ronaldo as an untouchable figure in his starting squad while clearing the fact that he is not obsessed with his goal records but rather more concerned with his team’s results.

The Spaniard, who was appointed as Real’s manager this summer, replaced Carlo Ancelotti as the Italian was sacked due to a trophyless season at the Bernabeu last term. So far, the former Napoli coach has endured a decent start to the season, gathering 10 points from his first four games in charge in La Liga.

And his talismanic winger Ronaldo, has been in scintillating form over the last two weeks where he has scored 8 goals in his last three fixtures. The Portuguese endured a slow start to the new campaign but has regained his form over the recent games.

But Benitez has stressed that the individual records of Ronaldo isn’t his priority stating that team results are more important. With Los Blancos taking on Athletic Bilbao in their midweek league clash on Wednesday, the former Reds coach insists that he is focused on a positive outcome from the difficult trip to San Mames.

Benitez has had 20 individual conversations with Toni Kroos

Talking to the reporters in his pre-game press conference, the Spaniard said, "The players know that Cristiano scores 50 goals a season. He makes the difference,"

"There is one indisputable player, which is Cristiano. From there, we assess who is well and who is not. Cristiano manages his exertions well. As of today he is pretty good physically.

"What I want is to win. I am not obsessed with Cristiano scoring five goals or Navas not conceding. I have never thought about favouring anyone apart from the team," added Benitez.

Benitez says that key to working at a club such as Madrid - with a Galacticos policy of making regular star signings - is the ability to converse regularly with his players.

"To manage a special group with such a high level is not easy, but I maintain individual conversations with them," he continued. "With Toni Kroos I must have had like 20 individual conversations. We are in agreement with everything."

Of Jese Rodriguez - who has vowed to bide his time after reportedly becoming frustrated at a lack of game time at the Bernabeu - Benitez added: "There are players that are one step in front, and others that have done it better. Jese has talent and has to work.

"The youngsters have to push to approach the level of the best [players] in the world," concluded Benitez.

Real are second in the La Liga table with 10 points from their first 4 games. They travel to the San Mames midweek on Wednesday to take on Athletic Bilbao.