REAL MADRID HEAD coach Zinedine Zidane said he gets jealous of Cristiano Ronaldo as he hailed the forward ahead of the Champions League semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid.
Zidane enjoyed a star-studded playing career, winning the World Cup and Champions League, but wishes he had enjoyed the thrill of scoring goals as much as his star attacker and namesake Ronaldo Nazario, his former Santiago Bernabeu team-mate.
The Real boss was asked how Ronaldo compared with the players he played with during his career and conceded he was envious at their goal tallies.
“As a coach he is the best player I have had,” Zidane said of the Portugal international.
“I wasn’t able to play with him, unfortunately – but I did play against him. His statistics are amazing.
“I played with the Brazilian Ronaldo, who was also an extraordinary player who scored a lot of goals. I’m jealous of them because I didn’t have those numbers.
“I got a lot of assists but I just passed the ball and didn’t have their goalscoring ability, so I never had the same feeling – that thrill of the ball hitting the net – as them.
“They are decisive players.”
Zidane also spoke of his respect for opposite number Diego Simeone ahead of the first leg of the last-four tie at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
“Simeone and Mono [German] Burgos are doing a great job for their club,” said Zidane. “I know Burgos a bit – I like him and have great respect for him.
“I only know Simeone from playing against him but they are two people I have enormous respect for both of them for the job they are doing. Simeone is a very experienced coach.”
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Would be great for the league of Ireland if they progresed
FH looked an average loi team who got a goal against the run of play last week. We were the better team but they might have been keeping it tight.. but if they play like they did last wed and we play like we can then we will advance.. i firmly believe we will score tonight. Garts is a massive loss in the centre of defence but barrett is a good replacement… we are playing FH for €1.2m and a guaranteed 4 more games minimum in Europe.
Who’s we ?!
“We”… Are Ireland’s number one. The Black & White army.
Not doubting you. They really are Ireland’s number 1. Just asked for the craic because my uncle always mocks me when I use ‘we’ when talking about cork city lol
Massive game for Fundalk given the money at stake , great for the town and club . Really well run club these days with a super manager leading the team. Cmon da town !!
Get the name right pal. They’re fun to watch but I wouldn’t go that far
Says the plastic Irish supporter. Take down that Irish cover photo please if your not willing to support your own Irish league.
I’m supporting them no doubt.
Disappointed there isn’t a LIVE ticker thread for this game. It’s only the champions of Ireland playing in the world’s most lucrative competition. RTE not broadcasting it is a disgrace. And they claim to be supporters of domestic football. (Yes I know it’s on Eir Sport).
Dundalk playing some nice football here, they’ve been the better team so far, unlucky to be behind. Horgan & McMillan are doing very well. They’re just lacking a bit of composure in the final third.
Still nothing up about the match tonight disgraceful from the 42
And still nothing. Surely a live ticker wasn’t beyond them. They are the champions of Ireland and our only representatives in champions league. Fair dues to Eir for covering it, super game and even better performance from Dundalk.