French football manager Zinedine Zidane has commended the remarkable career of Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. In a press conference held on Sunday, October 4, 2026, Zidane expressed his admiration for Ronaldo, describing their collaboration as an exceptional experience that contributed to numerous accolades. This conference took place ahead of a match against Belgium in the UEFA Nations League. Zidane's comments highlight the respect and appreciation he has for Ronaldo's accomplishments.
Zidane and Ronaldo previously worked together at Real Madrid during the 2013-2014 season when Zidane was an assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti. Zidane later became the head coach of Real Madrid from 2015 to 2018. Their past collaboration has left a lasting impression on Zidane, who now views Ronaldo's career with great admiration. Zidane's praise for Ronaldo comes at a time when the Portuguese player is dealing with issues related to his team, including a recent incident with his coach.
The incident involving Ronaldo and his coach, Jorge Jesus, occurred during a match against Norway in the UEFA Nations League. Ronaldo was initially expected to play in the second half but was kept on the bench, leading to tension between him and Jesus. After the match, Ronaldo left the stadium without greeting the fans and missed the next training session. This situation prompted Pedro Brounça, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, to intervene and manage the situation within the team's camp.
Following the incident, Ronaldo announced that he would be leaving the Portuguese national team's training camp. He expressed his decision on Instagram, stating that he would reveal the reasons behind his departure at a suitable time. Ronaldo's departure has garnered significant attention, especially given his dedication to the Portuguese team throughout his career. His decision to leave has sparked discussions among fans and the football community.
Zidane's comments on Ronaldo's career have been well-received, especially considering the current challenges faced by Ronaldo. Zidane's experience working with Ronaldo provides a unique perspective on the player's abilities and work ethic. Their past collaboration at Real Madrid resulted in significant achievements, further emphasizing Zidane's appreciation for Ronaldo's skills.
The situation surrounding Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team continues to unfold. The team's dynamics and Ronaldo's role within it have been subjects of discussion. Zidane's praise for Ronaldo highlights the respect that exists among football professionals for Ronaldo's contributions to the sport.
Ronaldo has since returned to his club, Al-Nassr, after leaving the Portuguese national team's camp. The reasons behind his departure and his future with the team remain topics of interest. Zidane's comments serve as a testament to Ronaldo's enduring impact on the football world.
Key points
- Zidane praises Ronaldo's career as exceptional and a valuable experience.
- Ronaldo leaves Portuguese national team's camp amid tensions with coach Jorge Jesus.
- Zidane and Ronaldo collaborated at Real Madrid, achieving significant success.
