Cristiano Ronaldo's Success Credited to Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo should be grateful to team-mate Karim Benzema for the extraordinary levels he's reached in football, according to former boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Ronaldo should also be thankful for his rivalry with Lionel Messi for making him the force he is today, said Los Blancos legend Zinedine Zidane.

Former Galacticos manager Ancelotti told Canal+ (h/t FourFourTwo) Benzema is a major ingredient in CR7's goalscoring feats at the Bernabeu, calling the pair a "perfect" combination:

"

I think that Ronaldo's success is largely down to Benzema's hard work. Karim is a calm guy. He is a very relaxed and humble guy, but he is a great player. I really like Benzema. His style of play allows Ronaldo to shine and score, even though he is still a player of the highest level. I believe Benzema and Ronaldo are the perfect attacking duo.

"

Paul White/Associated Press

The duo spearheaded Madrid to La Decima, the club's 10th European Cup/Champions League title, under the tutelage of Ancelotti, but a disappointing second season for the Italian saw him unceremoniously dismissed.

Ronaldo hit an amazing 48 goals in 41 league and Champions League appearances during Ancelotti's first campaign in the Spanish capital, according to WhoScored.com, with Benzema his foil in the striker's role.

Benzema hit 23 goals in those competitions that year, per WhoScored, recording 14 assists for Ronaldo and his team in the process.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Zidane also chipped into the conversation regarding Ronaldo's success at the Bernabeu, claiming the 30-year-old uses his rivalry with Messi as a reason to constantly improve, per Canal+ (h/t FourFourTwo): 

"

You have to see Ronaldo on the training pitch. It is simply amazing to see him in action. The rivalry with Messi is only pushing him to get the best out of himself. Ever since Raul has left Madrid, Ronaldo has gone on to develop into another club legend. He is feeling very well at Real Madrid.

"

Ronaldo has gone from Manchester United talent to possibly the greatest footballer of all time in his 13 years at the top of the game, and his ascendancy is not over yet.

Benzema remains at his side in new coach Rafael Benitez's team, and the pair can take Madrid back to the top of Spanish football, with both attackers already in the goals in 2015-16. 

However, while Messi is still the dominant force at Barcelona, CR7's ambition will be to surpass his great rival's achievements at Camp Nou—and bring more trophies to Madrid—as the Argentina captain has outstripped Ronaldo's efforts on this front.