By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
Before ending his playing career at Real Madrid in 2006, Zinédine Zidane worked alongside a certain Ronaldo Nazario for four seasons. Years later, the latter shared his very strong opinion regarding the Frenchman with the general public.
From a purely factual point of view, it clearly did not bring the expected results after such financial investments. Nevertheless, the “Galácticos” period remains engraved in the memory of football fans, and even more so in that of Real Madrid supporters. It must be said that the collection of stars available to the Spanish club at the time has for many never been equaled since.
Among these big names attracted by Florentino Perez are Zinédine Zidane, recruited in 2001 for 73.5 million euros, and Ronaldo Nazario, purchased for 45 million euros a year later. There, the two geniuses quickly developed a great understanding, as evidenced by the 31 goals in which they combined. Enough to leave a vivid memory in the memory of the legendary Brazilian striker.
Ronaldo reveals his thoughts on Zinédine Zidane
Having left Real in 2007, Ronaldo was able to say goodbye and pay tribute to Zidane, who retired a year earlier. Something he also insisted on doing years later, after having also hung up his crampons. This was for example the case on June 23, 2020, the date of the former French midfielder's 48th birthday, when he sent him the following message on Instagram :
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Ronaldo : Happy birthday my friend @zidane. You are the best player I have ever played with.
A major achievement from a player who rubbed shoulders in his career with other legends such as Romario, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and even David Beckham on the pitch.
And while some might consider this to be lip service, R9 was actually not his first such statement about Zizou. A few months earlier, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the former striker had made similar comments during a live Instagram with Karim Benzema:
Ronaldo : I played with Zizou. He's a man I admire, the best I've played with and seen train. He's the guy who dazzled me the most in my career. It was a privilege to play alongside him.
So many compliments which must have pleased their recipient, but also embarrassed him knowing his modest and reserved nature.
Ronaldo may have teamed up with some of the greatest players in history, whether at club or national level, but he makes Zinedine Zidane the best of them. New proof, if any were needed, of the level of the former French midfielder.
