Portugal: Zinédine Zidane reacts to the Cristiano Ronaldo controversy

The French national team manager praises the Portuguese star

Europe Today at 08:51

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Portugal: Zinédine Zidane reacts to the Cristiano Ronaldo controversy

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Zinédine Zidane could not avoid the subject of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The former Real Madrid manager once again expressed his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo at a press conference. As a reminder, the Al Nassr captain had hastily left Portugal's camp and has since been at the center of major controversy.

“We must pay tribute to his great career. I was lucky enough to have him with me at Real. He helped me win a lot of titles. Hats off to you, Cristiano! I have always had a great deal of respect for those I have spent time with,” said the France national team manager to the media.

🚨 Zinedine Zidane: “Chapeau, Cristiano Ronaldo. I can say this, because he made he win incredible trophies”. “Hats off to Cris. We must salute his great career the right way, as I consider myself lucky to have him with me”. “I have a lot of respect for all my players”. “But for sure, especially for Cristiano”. @IliesPeeters
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 4, 2026

The departure, amid tensions with the Portuguese Football Federation, could signal the end of Ronaldo's international career with Portugal.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.