“Anything is possible” with Cristiano Ronaldo, says Zinedine Zidane
As Real Madrid gear up to face Juventus in the Champions League on Saturday, Zidane lauded Ronaldo for his impressive display thus far.
Days ahead of this weekend’s Champions League clash with Juventus, Zinedine Zidane is running out of adjectives to describe the sensational Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Frenchman will need the Portuguese striker’s to add to his 400 plus goals he has scored for the club in all competition, a tally he completed earlier in the season, while helping his side wrestle La Liga crown away from rivals Barcelona.
Real are looking to become the first team to maintain the Champions League in Cardiff, and Zidane has the competition all-time leading goal scorer on his side, what a luxury.
"“As you well know, there are no words that can do Cristiano Ronaldo justice,” Zidane said. “He shows what he’s all about every time he’s on the pitch, by scoring goals.“He’s now got more than 400 goals for Real Madrid in all competitions These are unbelievable stats, but with him anything’s possible.”"
Zidane knows father time is catching up to the 32-year-old winger, so he offered Ronaldo more rest during away trips in league games and the Portuguese international responded accordingly.
"“It’s a decision we made together, based on discussions together,” he said. “We’re intelligent and even he sometimes needs to play a bit less.“It’s not because he isn’t as physically fit, but because he wants to head into the final stage of the season, when everything is at stake, in top form.“He has played a lot this year, but there have been a few occasions when he has been left out to have a breather. Now he’s in fantastic shape for what remains of the campaign.“It isn’t just about this year, it’s the accumulation of all the seasons in his career in which he has played 60 or 70 matches. It gets to the point where you need to take a breather.”"
Ronaldo will likely secure his fifth Ballon d’Or if he Real succeed against Old Lady to level up with his arch nemesis, Lionel Messi. This is arguably the best defense Madrid will face all season, led by star-studded back-line in Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Dani Alves.
Zidane also saluted the legendary goalkeeper, Buffon, highlighting his leadership skills.
“I think it’s about what he has achieved. He’s a born leader,” Zidane said. “He has been an extraordinary player throughout his career.
“He’s a leader on the pitch and a great captain. In terms of everything he has said about players that he has met, he has always looked out for his fellow professionals.”
It’s impossible to deny whoever wins this game between Ronaldo and Buffon, will walk away with the 2017 Ballon d’Or.
More from Real Madrid
- Real Madrid dealt Eder Militao injury blow
- Jude Bellingham scores in Real Madrid debut
- Real Madrid facing uncertainty heading into new LaLiga season
- Real Madrid suffer Thibaut Courtois injury blow
- Joselu, the story behind the kid who dreamt of playing for Real Madrid
Zidane will have Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal at his disposal, but who’s fit enough to start in Saturday big game? Bale admitted he’s fully recovered but revealed playing 90 minutes will be difficult. Either way, Madrid owe it Isco to start the match since he’s been magnificent in place of the Welshman.
Carvajal joking admitted to Real Madrid TV that he’s “200 percent physically and 300 percent mentally.
“Hopefully we can make history, being the only team to win the Champions League twice in a row, in the current format of the competition.
The 25-year-old is a key cog in Zidane’s back-line and will look to prove himself once again.
This is a much-anticipated match-up between two teams that are known for their goal scoring and defensive prowess. Although both teams are well deserving of the trophy, Real has the edge because of their central midfielders, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Next: United look to Real Madrid star
These two have been phenomenal in the centre of the pitch with Kroos distributing 14 assists (12 in La Liga) while Modric terrific passing ability (88.8%) has instrumental to his team success.