Ancelotti on why  Messi is not the greatest of all time

On the eve of LaLiga Santander's return, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti wasted no time getting back into the headlines as he addressed the debate around whether Lionel Messi is the greatest footballer of all time.

He also gave updates on Real Madrid's injury list ahead of their trip to take on Real Valladolid on Friday evening, with the attention from press and fans centred around Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema.

"He came back on the 10th from holiday and when he came back he was quite well," Ancelotti said of Benzema. "He worked with the team and in the friendlies he played half an hour and 45 minutes. I think he is going to show all his quality".

On Eden Hazard, he added: "I see Hazard well, he has trained well. I see him better than before the World Cup. He has done a good job and I will use the whole squad."

Los Blancos beat the Catalans in El Clasico, but have only won one of their last three games. Barcelona also have less distraction from Europe as they fell into the Europa League following a disappointing Champions League campaign, but Real Madrid won their group and have drawn Liverpool in the round of 16.

"Evaluating what is going to happen is very complicated, it's a very demanding calendar," Ancelotti added.

"We have the Supercopa de Espana and the Club World Cup. We have a lot of games until March and we have to make a personal assessment of the players.

"We have to get the players in good condition. We have to give the World Cup players a rest. There are no more days off, until February 19 we play every three days".

Asked if Messi had cemented his status as the best footballer of all time, Ancelotti replied: "It's difficult to say, I don't know if he is the best ever. It's not so fair to say that, because every era has very good players.

"It won't come out of my mouth that 'Messi is the best ever'. I've enjoyed so many good players.... And I've seen Johan Cruyff play, Diego Maradona...".