Zinedine Zidane believes Cristiano Ronaldo's "great career" should be saluted amid reports of tensions between the 41-year-old and Portugal.
Ronaldo made headlines last week when he announced he had left Portugal's Nations League camp following their second game – a 2-1 win over Norway in which he was an unused substitute.
Reports prior to his exit suggested there was a disagreement between Ronaldo and Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus over his game time.
The Portugal captain said he would tell his side of the story in due course.
While Jesus has left the door open for Ronaldo to link up with the squad again in November, it remains unclear what is set to happen next month.
But Zidane, who managed Ronaldo at Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018, winning three Champions League titles and LaLiga among their honours, came to the defence of his former player.
"He made me win incredible things," Zidane said when asked about Ronaldo's current situation.
"I think we have to salute his great career; what he has done is exceptional.
"I was lucky enough to have him with me. Hats off to Cristiano!
"I still have a lot of respect in general for all the players, but even more so for those with whom I spent time, and especially Cristiano, who still made us win a lot of things."
Viydikmnpr
0
yusuf 🙏. ftalkra
adedefender
1
Legends recognize legends, not all these kirikpoto fans talking rubbish, out of hate, ignorance, and foolishness
Komikprtu
1
Am happy he didn't give him the same praise he gave to Messi... 😂 😂
LEO-MESSI-GOAT30
1
freedom
that's right 😂
Joseilty
0
Zidane is a hypocrite,though he belongs to the set of undisciplined players. I thank GOD he is still a coach may any of his players do a thing like Ronaldo did, I thought this time people have to tell Ronaldo the truth about his non challant attitude, that is able to corrupt others,So Zidane may you experience an egoistic player like Ronaldo
He already coached him in for some seasons and winning trophies. So, cry go front abeg.
Joseilty
1
I think you don't know anything about what Ronaldo has brought to the Portugal national, listen very carefully 1. Majority of sponsors for Portugal national team come from CR7 2. The most sell jersey that brings revenue to the Portugal team is CR7 3. The player that brings more financial income to the Portugal national team is CR7 4. The player that 80% of Portugal fans buy tickets to go and watch in the stadium is CR7 4. The player that brought more followers to the Portugal team on social media and boost finances is CR7. So CR7 is not just an ordinary player but he brings Monday cash to the Portugal team and has maintained this for many years so the coach is actually causing the team because we all know CR7 is currently old and cont perform well compare to his prime age time so it is better for the coach to keep given him minutes and he has already made it clear he want to retire so so the coach should have handle him nicely till he retire and even after this ongoing tournament I'm sure he will retire and still maintain the investments he brought to the team so Jesus is really a devil who want to bring many problems in the Portugal team if we are to be honest he even got that job through CR7.
I'm glad this is coming from a barca fan. Kudos
pocacmpsu
0
come on CR7 deserve more respect
which respect
pocacmpsu
0
I think you don't know anything about what Ronaldo has brought to the Portugal national, listen very carefully 1. Majority of sponsors for Portugal national team come from CR7 2. The most sell jersey that brings revenue to the Portugal team is CR7 3. The player that brings more financial income to the Portugal national team is CR7 4. The player that 80% of Portugal fans buy tickets to go and watch in the stadium is CR7 4. The player that brought more followers to the Portugal team on social media and boost finances is CR7. So CR7 is not just an ordinary player but he brings Monday cash to the Portugal team and has maintained this for many years so the coach is actually causing the team because we all know CR7 is currently old and cont perform well compare to his prime age time so it is better for the coach to keep given him minutes and he has already made it clear he want to retire so so the coach should have handle him nicely till he retire and even after this ongoing tournament I'm sure he will retire and still maintain the investments he brought to the team so Jesus is really a devil who want to bring many problems in the Portugal team if we are to be honest he even got that job through CR7.
You mean they must play old CR7 forever in order to get revenue
Taabmrsyz
0
why promise a man like Ronaldo 30min of game time and not respect ur words
the safety of the man job depends on those games results not playing a retired leg so the you selfish fans can be happy tell your fake goat to retire he is no more there
Taabmrsyz
1
what will become of football if cr7 retire from from pitch 🤔
freedom
big_sey
1
Zidane please go and salute your idol and bring him to your France national team. and you will enjoy his arrogance and selfish behavior.
shareefullah
2
Nice
hiubceknpy
3
what will become of football if cr7 retire from from pitch 🤔
Invincible7x
2
and he'll still vote messi for d'Or over some r7 😂😂
SeeYou10
1
Attitude what matters after all
Pehbnoprsu
0
no he didn't
Fusek
Dozaeosty
0
Words from the wise one! But I advise he doesn't come back to that team!
I agree with you
natiksuyz
4
Words from the wise one! But I advise he doesn't come back to that team!
Fuwbciors
0
yes he is incredible then but now he is no more younger as he was before so he had to accept that the younger one now will be given some time to carry on, the fact that he didn't play that game was the intensity of the game the couch knew well with Ronaldo in that game he may lose the game, honestly we all saw what happened in the last world cup that just finished he is zero.
Tasdeimpt
0
why promise a man like Ronaldo 30min of game time and not respect ur words
he'll be walking around
wupacimpty
0
no he didn't
Jieabkmpr
0
Keep your mouth shut you hypocrites
So you still never get sense😹
Nahklmnoyz
1
great coach zidane
gudiest01
0
someone who thinks he's bigger than everyone
boweklosuy
2
Goat
simuntanga
0
Why can’t people understand that cristiano is the one disrespecting himself!!!
says a Messi fan thinking he's wiser than CR7
dizaceopsy
5
Why it's only Barcelona and man city are dragging this issue?
siakrtyz
1
Why can’t people understand that cristiano is the one disrespecting himself!!!
You are delusional telling yourself the CR7 is disrespecting himself when it was the coach and president who called and begged CR7 to come back and play only to humiliate him and use him for their benefits best thing he did was take his things and walk away best choice he made why humiliate him for what reason he might be 41 but his still scoring goals many of you hate him but he doesn’t care he left on his Private Jet still living his best life he dealt with haters and humiliation for the pass 20 years you really think this bothers him nah his to busy living his life
Vaoaersz
2
the best player ever 🥂❤️❤️❤️
Ochukogodday
0
Why can’t people understand that cristiano is the one disrespecting himself!!!
please explain to me
bin77
2
Nice one from Zidane
wedekortu
0
Why can’t people understand that cristiano is the one disrespecting himself!!!
How please?
Huubcensuz
1
yes he is incredible then but now he is no more younger as he was before so he had to accept that the younger one now will be given some time to carry on, the fact that he didn't play that game was the intensity of the game the couch knew well with Ronaldo in that game he may lose the game, honestly we all saw what happened in the last world cup that just finished he is zero.
why promise a man like Ronaldo 30min of game time and not respect ur words
yoecdilsz
1
yes he is incredible then but now he is no more younger as he was before so he had to accept that the younger one now will be given some time to carry on, the fact that he didn't play that game was the intensity of the game the couch knew well with Ronaldo in that game he may lose the game, honestly we all saw what happened in the last world cup that just finished he is zero.
Cezacdimop
0
He has to make easy for them to salute him and his career. He displayed an egotistical and emotional out of control. He is one of the greatest players who have played soccer. He must show respect for the game in order for people to give him respect. A GOAT 🐐 🙌 for all time CR7.
ArchangelRaphael
0
Cr7, is best player but he supposed to be calm and give time to the coach to do what he want to do than after all this game than he can retire from international football in a peaceful way bcz, next time he will be a coach again their how will you tell your player that at that moment you will be coach at your country now. This what Zidane did when he play his last world cup in 2006 now is back to coach the country
Keep your mouth shut you hypocrites
Pahbeklsy
1
Cr7, is best player but he supposed to be calm and give time to the coach to do what he want to do than after all this game than he can retire from international football in a peaceful way bcz, next time he will be a coach again their how will you tell your player that at that moment you will be coach at your country now. This what Zidane did when he play his last world cup in 2006 now is back to coach the country
Pahbdelot
1
Mbappe
dikknrstuz
2
you are the hypocrites not Zidane you are fulis
Copson10
13
I think you don't know anything about what Ronaldo has brought to the Portugal national, listen very carefully 1. Majority of sponsors for Portugal national team come from CR7 2. The most sell jersey that brings revenue to the Portugal team is CR7 3. The player that brings more financial income to the Portugal national team is CR7 4. The player that 80% of Portugal fans buy tickets to go and watch in the stadium is CR7 4. The player that brought more followers to the Portugal team on social media and boost finances is CR7. So CR7 is not just an ordinary player but he brings Monday cash to the Portugal team and has maintained this for many years so the coach is actually causing the team because we all know CR7 is currently old and cont perform well compare to his prime age time so it is better for the coach to keep given him minutes and he has already made it clear he want to retire so so the coach should have handle him nicely till he retire and even after this ongoing tournament I'm sure he will retire and still maintain the investments he brought to the team so Jesus is really a devil who want to bring many problems in the Portugal team if we are to be honest he even got that job through CR7.
puzadekmru
0
You seems to have reading problems.
No he doesn't. You're just an idiot who can't see pass your noise.
wuecdkls
0
Portugal is already losing heavily in revenue. They are under threat of losing major sponsors and with finances declining, Portugal might not maintain the standard of competing on the higher level with time. Ronaldo is not an ordinary player, he is not just like a player in the Portugal squad, he is all what Portugal is, the reason they're begging him to return.
Stupid boy. They'd gain it all back and more as they're already doing on the field.
wuecdkls
0
One day when messy retire he would come out of the closet Portugal have no identification card anymore from now anywhere they go they would have to call the name of the team and that identification card is this is the team cr7 used to play for and Bruno and Jesus throw him out
You only throw out the trash
Litelntz
0
REAL KNO REALL
Mezdkmsyz
0
If Ronaldo couldn't exist, Messi could be abit tall, handsome & successful
Sometimes pretend you have sense🤧
malablata
0
Portugal is a country not a club bro
You seems to have reading problems.
Hakbeimruz
1
labarina
cazbimory
0
One day when messy retire he would come out of the closet Portugal have no identification card anymore from now anywhere they go they would have to call the name of the team and that identification card is this is the team cr7 used to play for and Bruno and Jesus throw him out
Dante542
0
Naeacknpsu
0
Portugal is already losing heavily in revenue. They are under threat of losing major sponsors and with finances declining, Portugal might not maintain the standard of competing on the higher level with time. Ronaldo is not an ordinary player, he is not just like a player in the Portugal squad, he is all what Portugal is, the reason they're begging him to return.
Portugal is a country not a club bro