Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez is adamant there are no ongoing issues between himself and skipper Sergio Ramos, despite recent reports of a fall-out between the duo over the international break.

There were suggestions Ramos spoke out against the Real head coach following the team’s 1-1 draw with city rivals Atletico Madrid, in a match Los Blancos were leading before conceding a second-half equaliser.

It was the experienced centre-back Ramos who was responsible for giving away a penalty in that game, only for Keylor Navas to save the resulting spot-kick.

Benitez criticised the naive tackle from his skipper before Ramos later questioned to tactics used in the game at the Vicente Calderon.

The Real chief has now insisted his relationship with Ramos is still a positive one and that he was the driving force behind keeping the defender at the Bernabeu, when Manchester United were thought to be close to signing the 29-year-old in the summer.

Benitez told Onda Cero radio: “I fought more than anyone for Ramos to stay. There are no problems between us. He’s our captain, an outstanding footballer and he has to keep showing that.”

Los Blancos, who are second in the table with 15 points to their name after seven games of the La Liga campaign, are next in action on Saturday when they host Levante at the Bernabeu.

Real, who are unbeaten in the league so far this term, are 1.07 to win, 12.00 to draw and 29.00 to lose to Les Granotes.