Benitez denies Ronaldo rift again, focuses on Champions League clash

Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez dismissed talk yet again that he and Cristiano Ronaldo are at odds with each other, telling reporters he and the Portuguese winger are just fine.

Ronaldo reportedly issued an ultimatum with the club's president, Florentino Perez, saying his future at the club was a question of "Benitez or me," but Benitez said there's no animosity between the two.

"I don't have any problem with Cristiano Ronaldo," Benitez told reporters. "He's a great footballer and a fundamental player for us.

"If my players didn't believe in me, we wouldn't have gone 14 games undefeated and wouldn't be through to the last 16 in the Champions League. We're a very professional team."

Related: Dani Alves says Cristiano Ronaldo is 'too big a personality'

Perez gave his backing to Benitez on Monday, saying the Spaniard "is the chosen one to bring success to this squad that since January has struggled." Benitez took the message to heart.

"I've been involved in football for years and I'm confident that two defeats aren't going to change the progress we've made," Benitez said. "The president has spoken out and given the team and coaching staff a public vote of confidence. He's giving us a hand and we need to stick together."

The latest round of calls for Benitez to be fired came after Real Madrid lost 4-0 to Barcelona in the first El Clasico match of the season. With Wednesday's Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk to prepare for, however, Benitez isn't giving that loss much thought anymore.

"I'm (hurting) from the defeat, but it hurts me as a Real Madrid fan," Benitez said. "I can't control what people say. I'm focused on the job at hand."