Ronaldo going nowhere – Zidane insists

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said categorically that his star forward, Cristiano Ronaldo is not leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ronaldo has recently been linked with Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain amid reports he would consider leaving Real due to scrutiny over his income tax.

But the French gaffer, told ESPN that the Portugal captain, who is the favourite to win a fifth Ballon d’Or, remains a vital cog for Los Blancos.

“In the end, Cristiano is one of us. He’s going to stay with us. And that’s it. He’s on holiday as of today.

“He’s resting, as he’s deserved it. We wait for him to finish his holiday and join us,” he noted.

The manager has made an impressive start to his coaching career, winning the 2016-17 La Liga title as well as two Champions League crowns since taking over the reins from Rafa Benitez in January 2016.

“It’s not about the happiness of the players.

“Managing this squad, managing these players, it’s my job. I’m going to use all my players because we’re going to play 50, 60, 70 matches at times. I’m going to need all of them.

“In the end, I’m not here to make a certain player happy because you can play someone 50 games and then leave him out for one and he’s pissed.

“The idea is something else because managing this squad, you’re utilizing all of the players. In the end last season, everything went well. We won and the players had confidence in what I’m trying to do and that is the most important.”