'I take my hat off to Cristiano': Zidane salutes Ronaldo's career
France head coach Zinedine Zidane has defended Cristiano Ronaldo's international career, dismissing the suggestion that his former Real Madrid forward is ending his Portugal story poorly amid the ongoing fallout from his walkout from the national team camp.
Asked directly whether Ronaldo's farewell had been tarnished, Zidane was unequivocal.
"No, I think he should be congratulated on his great career. What he did is exceptional," he said, speaking ahead of France's Nations League fixture against Belgium.
The 53 year old, who managed Ronaldo at Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018, credited the forward directly for a period of sustained success that yielded three Champions League titles, a La Liga crown, two Club World Cups and further domestic and European silverware.
"I was lucky to have him with me and he made me win incredible things, so I take my hat off to Cristiano. I will always have great respect for him, as for all players, but even more so for those with whom I shared so much time," Zidane said.
His comments came days after Ronaldo announced his departure from Portugal's training camp in Copenhagen, writing on Instagram that he had made the decision following a conversation with the federation president after head coach Jorge Jesus confirmed he would again be left out of the starting line up.
"After the national team press conference, and following a conversation with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the national team training camp," Ronaldo wrote on Instagram, promising to explain his reasoning to Portuguese supporters in due course.
Zidane also reflected on his own adjustment since taking charge of France, having previously managed almost exclusively at club level, describing the shift to international football as noticeably different in rhythm despite demanding the same level of commitment.
"Perhaps the difference is that at a club it never stops, it is day to day, it is very all consuming. I loved doing that, and now I have another side to it and I will try to do it this way, which will be a little different," he said.
I was lucky to have him with me and he made me win incredible things, so I take my hat off to Cristiano. I will always have great respect for him.
Zinedine Zidane, France coach
He has overseen two away wins since taking the France job, against Turkey and Belgium, along with a draw against Italy in his first home match in charge, as he begins shaping his own era in charge of Les Bleus.