Ronaldo will remain at Real for ‘2-3 more years’

LOS ANGELES: Cristiano Ronaldo will remain a Real Madrid player for “the next 2-3 years”, coach Zinedine Zidane said on Saturday, ending talk the Bernabeu superstar might depart for Manchester United.

On the eve of Real’s pre-season friendly against United at Santa Clara, California, Zidane spoke in Los Angeles about the 32-year-old Portuguese forward who is currently on vacation.

“There has been a lot of talk surrounding Cristiano, that he wanted to go,” Zidane acknowledged. “I only believe in one thing — whenever I’ve spoken to him, he has been very relaxed.

“He’s on holiday and he will be back with us on the fifth (of August). I listen, just like everyone else, but the only thing I’m concerned with is what he wants to do with Real Madrid. He’ll be here with us on the fifth and I think he’ll stay for the next 2 or 3 years he’s got left with us.”

Real will also play US tuneup matches on Wednesday against Manchester City at Los Angeles and next Saturday against bitter rivals Barcelona in Miami before next month’s scheduled return for Ronaldo.

“He’s on a very well-deserved holiday after the year we’ve had,” Zidane said. “He has to come back in and we’ll look at when he’ll get some playing time. I’m sure he’ll be ready in no time.”

“We know what we achieved was incredible and now there are trophies to be played for already on the eighth and we’re preparing for that date to start in the best possible fashion,” he said in reference to the European Super Cup clash, also against Man United, in Skopje on August 8.

However Zidane confirmed Brazilian right-back Danilo would be leaving the club, with the 26-yearold expected to sign for Manchester City. “Danilo has gone and (Alvaro) Morata too,” Zidane said. — AFP