REAL MADRID MANAGER Zinedine Zidane believes the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona star Lionel Messi has helped to make both players even stronger.
Ronaldo and Messi are the two front runners for the 2017 Ballon d’Or, of which the winner will be announced on Thursday.
Should Ronaldo claim the individual gong handed out by France Football, he will go level on five crowns with his Argentinian nemesis.
Despite his underwhelming form in La Liga this season, having scored just two goals in 10 appearances, Ronaldo is still expected by many to claim the prize, thanks largely down to his role in Madrid’s league and Champions League double in 2016-17.
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Speaking at a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Borussia Dortmund, Zidane said: “It’s true, when we look at their statistics, they’re amazing.
“It’s surprising to see the amount of goals they’ve scored, actually. They’re two great players.
“One makes the other better and vice-versa. I think it’ll continue, this duel, for some time to come.”
Zidane is not worried about Ronaldo’s lack of form in La Liga this season, however, adamant that the Portugal star will “come good”.
“I think it [Ronaldo not being at his best] doesn’t really matter because he is so big,” Zidane said.
“He has big shoulders and when things don’t go right for him, he’s always found a way to put things right.
“It’s normal that people have opinions and talk about him, but people who love Real Madrid, this team, they know what he has done.
“Just last season he had fantastic season. There’s a long way to go yet this season, we’re not even halfway there – we have six more months to go.
“Be careful with Ronaldo – he’ll come good.”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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'One makes the other better and vice-versa. This duel will continue for some time'
REAL MADRID MANAGER Zinedine Zidane believes the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona star Lionel Messi has helped to make both players even stronger.
Ronaldo and Messi are the two front runners for the 2017 Ballon d’Or, of which the winner will be announced on Thursday.
Should Ronaldo claim the individual gong handed out by France Football, he will go level on five crowns with his Argentinian nemesis.
Despite his underwhelming form in La Liga this season, having scored just two goals in 10 appearances, Ronaldo is still expected by many to claim the prize, thanks largely down to his role in Madrid’s league and Champions League double in 2016-17.
Speaking at a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Borussia Dortmund, Zidane said: “It’s true, when we look at their statistics, they’re amazing.
“It’s surprising to see the amount of goals they’ve scored, actually. They’re two great players.
Zidane is not worried about Ronaldo’s lack of form in La Liga this season, however, adamant that the Portugal star will “come good”.
“I think it [Ronaldo not being at his best] doesn’t really matter because he is so big,” Zidane said.
“He has big shoulders and when things don’t go right for him, he’s always found a way to put things right.
“It’s normal that people have opinions and talk about him, but people who love Real Madrid, this team, they know what he has done.
“Just last season he had fantastic season. There’s a long way to go yet this season, we’re not even halfway there – we have six more months to go.
“Be careful with Ronaldo – he’ll come good.”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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