Rio Ferdinand believes Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is more difficult to defend against than Barcelona's Luis Suarez.

Ferdinand faced Suarez when he was playing for Liverpool and Benzema in the Champions League, and feels the France international asks more questions of defenders.

Benzema, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid for the second time in three years as they beat Atletico on penalties, has scored 28 goals in 36 appearances this season. But Suarez has plundered 59 goals in his 53 games for Barca in all competitions.

Karim Benzema with the Champions League trophy. PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images

"From personal experience playing against both of those players, I found it harder to play against him [Benzema]," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "Because he was very cute, he was very efficient in all areas, off his right and left foot, his movement was cute.

"And sometimes you don't see it glaringly, but he does cute little things that take you out of position that other players can exploit.

"And when he gets the ball he's got a quick trigger."