Zinedine Zidane says he cannot imagine Real Madrid without Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to reports, the forward wants to leave the European champions over a contract dispute with president Florentino Perez and has been linked with a return to Manchester United.
The Portugal international is under contract at the Bernabeu until 2021 and head coach Zidane urged him to concentrate only on his game.
“I just want to talk about his performance and what he can bring to the team on the pitch.
“Cristiano is a part of this club, where he belongs. The club, the fans, everyone loves him.
Practice ? pic.twitter.com/VQ5jqj55cz
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) January 10, 2018
“I always say the same thing, I do not see a Madrid without Cristiano.
“The sporting side is the one that I am interested in. I do not want to talk about the contract and those things.”
Zidane was speaking ahead of Madrid’s Copa Del Rey meeting with Leganes on Thursday.
.@RealBetis_en finish the first half of the season just one spot outside the European places! ?#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/JrHtjibUTS
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) January 15, 2018
Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Villarreal dropped Madrid to fourth place in LaLiga, 19 points behind Barcelona. The team’s struggles have been mirrored by Ronaldo, who has scored just four league goals this season, and have increased the pressure on Zidane.
Asked about his own future, Zidane said: “I am not thinking about that. I go day by day and will not change.”
