Ronaldo still ‘The Best’ for Zidane

MADRID: Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insisted Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win FIFA’s ‘ The Best’ award for 2017 despite his faltering La Liga form so far this season.

Ronaldo missed Real’s first four La Liga games through suspension, but has managed just Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday. one goal in the last five and was “He can have his opinion because wasteful once more in front of goal he is on television a lot, but if you as Madrid eased past Eibar 3- 0 on say to me Karim is overrated I Sunday. don’t agree,” said Zidane.

“He is the best by a long way,” said “I enjoy watching him on the Zidane when asked if Ronaldo was field.” the best player of his generation. After Paulo Oliveira’s own goal

The Portuguese is expected to and Marco Asensio’s strike put edge out Barcelona rival Lionel Madrid in command on Sunday, Messi to the award thanks to his Benzema came off the bench to tee stunning end to last season. up Real’s third for Marcelo.

Ronaldo scored 10 times from the “Brilliant assist from Benzema. quarter-finals of the Champions With his sort of quality it’s hard League on as Real won a first La to understand why Zidane left him Liga and European Cup double in out of the starting lineup,” Lineker 59 years. responded wryly to the attention

However, Messi has already his comments have garnered in scored 15 times in all competitions Spain in recent days. for Barca this season and netted However, Zidane repeated his a stunning hat- trick to ensure defence of Benzema’s style from Argentina didn’t miss out on next his pre-match press conference. year’s World Cup against Ecuador “Karim won’t score 60 goals a earlier this month. season, but he will score 25 or 30

“He has shown it many times, he and make 30- 40,” Zidane said on is always there in the big games,” Saturday. added Zidane. And that point was perfectly

“All the awards are deserved evidenced by Benzema’s defence because he always wants to be the splitting pass for Marcelo to fire best and he is.” into the far corner.

Zidane also defended compatriot “I like players who know how to Karim Benzema after former associate with their teammates,” England striker and TV presenter continued Zidane. Gary Lineker described the “He didn’t score, but the move Frenchman “overrated.” starts with him in midfield.

Lineker’s comments came as “It was a lovely move to see Benzema missed two huge chances for anyone who likes football.” as Real were held 1-1 at home by — AFP

All the awards are deserved because he always wants to be the best and he is. Zinedine Zidane, Real Madrid coach