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Zidane defends Ronaldo despite controversy: "Hats off to Cristiano, I always have respect"

Asked about Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial departure from Portugal's gathering, Zinédine Zidane paid tribute to his former Real Madrid player, refusing to fuel the controversy.

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Zidane defends Ronaldo despite controversy: "Hats off to Cristiano, I always have respect"
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Zinédine Zidane chose praise over commentary when asked about Cristiano Ronaldo on Wednesday, on the eve of France’s match against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League. The France manager saluted his former Real Madrid striker’s career, as the Portuguese player had just left his national team’s gathering amid controversy.

“We must indeed celebrate his great career. I was fortunate to have him with me. He won me many titles. Hats off to Cristiano! I always have great respect for those I spent time with,” Zidane said, visibly keen not to inflame the situation around CR7.

On the sporting front, the coach announced several changes to his starting eleven for the match against the Red Devils, while calling for restraint. “There will be changes. We must not do anything reckless,” he warned. The case of Leny Yoro, absent from the previous match, remains uncertain: “Leny didn’t play, that’s true. We’ll see tomorrow.” In goal, Mike Maignan is confirmed as starter, with Zidane leaving open the question of a possible rotation later.

Since taking office, the manager has insisted on sincerity as the guiding thread of his relationship with the squad. He nonetheless acknowledges that his project will take time to take root. “I may not say certain things, but I try to be as sincere as possible in what I want to convey. I know it will take time,” he confided on the eve of the trip to Belgium.

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