CR7 the 'soul of Madridismo'

10 January 2016 - 02:00 By ESPN

New Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has called Cristiano Ronaldo the "soul of Madridismo" and said that the Portugal star is "non-transferrable". Ronaldo was reported to be unhappy under former boss Rafael Benitez and the 30-year-old repeatedly suggested during the first half of the season that he was open to a move away from the Bernabeu.But Zidane - who has replaced Benitez on a two-and-a-half-year contract - said the forward is central to his plans for the team and would be given the freedom to enjoy himself on the pitch.story_article_left1"[Ronaldo] is non-transferrable," Zidane said."He is the soul of this team, of Madridismo. I laugh at your question. When I am here, he will not leave."He confirmed that Ronaldo will remain first-choice free-kick taker and said: "Cristiano will play as he does. I will say few things to Cristiano. What I want is for him to be happy. The rest comes from that."I am happy, very happy, and the players too," he said. "The truth is I feel strong, content and we will go for everything we have in front of us. We want to transmit that happiness to the fans every time we play at the Bernabeu, for the fans to enjoy the team, the players we have."Zidane won the 2002 Champions League and 2002-03 La Liga title during his time as a player at Madrid, but he did not win any silverware with the club in the three seasons prior to his retirement after the departure of his France teammate Claude Makelele.Zidane famously questioned the decision to sell the defensive midfielder at the time, saying: "Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you are losing the entire engine?"Asked how he would go about establishing the kind of balance that Makelele once gave the side, Zidane said: "Makelele has retired, so we cannot play with him, but I have other players in my squad who can do that."Balance does not just come from midfielders - forwards must defend too, the team must all work together. That is my idea, my message, without the ball we all work. You cannot have one or two or three players who do not defend. The idea is without the ball we defend, with the ball we play."Asked if he would be looking to move on some players during the January transfer window, or bring in others, Zidane said he was more than happy with his current 25-man squad."I do not believe anyone will leave," he said. "I do not want that. We will see what happens, but I don't want any of them to leave. I don't need signings either - I have a good group, with numbers, am happy with the squad I have.story_article_right2"James and Isco are important players, very good players. The only thing is to give them love and confidence. We are 25 and some will play more than others, but at the end the most important thing is the group. That was my experience as a player - the strongest group always won."Asked about negative comments this week from his former France coach Raymond Domenech, the 43-year-old responded by smiling and asking: "What can I say, how can I answer that? That is his opinion. He knows me very well, that's true, and knows what I think about him too."So I will not say any more."Domenech said Zidane's talent and quiet nature had made him like a deity in human form."Zidane is a myth," he said. "A myth capable of setting off emotions in people and not only positive ones."He's not a smooth star, he's not a nice guy. He's capable of anything and that's what makes him a human god."..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.