Zidane comes to Cristiano's defense
"He helped me win incredible things; I take my hat off to him," said the France national team coach about the player who was once his charge at Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane praised Cristiano Ronaldo 's international career this Sunday, having spent many years alongside him at Real Madrid . Asked at the press conference ahead of the Nations League clash against Belgium whether he shared the view that the Portuguese forward has had a poor end to his career, the coach flatly denied it: "No, I think he should be congratulated on his great career. What he did is exceptional."
The French coach downplayed the controversy over his recent departure from the Portugal camp in Copenhagen . "I was lucky to have him with me and he made me win incredible things, so I take my hat off to Cristiano . I will always have great respect for him, as for all players, but even more so for those with whom I shared so much time, and in particular Cristiano, who made us win so much," said the coach.
Both were at Real Madrid during a glorious period for Los Blancos, which took place between 2016 and 2018. During that time, the club won 3 Champions Leagues, 1 La Liga title, 2 Club World Cups, 2 UEFA Super Cups, and 1 Spanish Super Cup. Now Zidane manages France , with whom he has earned two away wins (against Turkey and Belgium), and a draw in his first home match as national team coach, in Paris, against Italy.
About the switch from a club to a national team , the Frenchman is aware that it "changes the picture a little," although the "same madness" remains in terms of demands. "Perhaps the difference is that at a club it never stops; it is day to day, it is very all-consuming. I loved doing that, and now I have another side to it and I will try to do it this way, which will be a little different. But in any case, the desire to work well around my team is the same," he said.
