Coach Zidane confirms Real Madrid ace is in good shape for today's tie against Spanish rivals Barcelona
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insisted Cristiano Ronaldo is 100 per cent fit for today's huge El Clasico clash against Barcelona despite playing a limited role in training this week. And the Frenchman urged Ronaldo to put his perceived desire for an improved contract from the European champions on the back burner to help Real get back into the La Liga title race. "He is 100 percent, he trained today and that is all that interests me," Zidane said yesterday.
Real Madrid’s star striker Cristiano Ronaldo during a training session in Madrid yesterday. Pic/ AFP
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Ronaldo, 32, said he would like to retire at Real after scoring the winner in last weekend's Club World Cup final, but that decision depended on those that run the club. The Portuguese star signed a new deal to 2021 with Real just over a year ago, but has since seen Neymar's move to Paris Saint Germain for a world record fee and a bumper new deal for Lionel Messi at Barcelona reportedly see them leapfrog Ronaldo as the world's best paid player. "Cristiano just has to think about what he has done, what he is doing and what he means to this club," added Zidane.
"He deserves the full respect of the club and he has it. After the holidays we will talk about that for sure." Ronaldo only returned to full training yesterday after receiving some rough treatment from Brazilians Gremio last weekend. Zidane's men trail Barca by 11 points in fourth place behind Atletico Madrid and Valencia
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