Cristiano Ronaldo has received huge backing from a legend, who is also his manager at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane believes Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world. For so long, there have been questions as to whether the Portuguese forward is better than his fierce rival Lionel Messi, or vice versa. However, in the Zidane’s eyes, the former Man United man comes second to none. 

In an interview with Mexican newspaper Record, the former France international was asked whether Lionel Messi was the greater player and this was his response: 

“Cristiano Ronaldo is the best. People can say what they like about Cristiano Ronaldo, but in his heart he’s a good person. Messi is the rival and that rivalry is great for the footballing spectacle, it’s what the fans want to see.”Zidane and Ronaldo at the Ballon d'Or awards

On the contrary, former Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez had quite a different response to the same question in his reign at the Santiago Bernabeu. He did not recognize the 31-year-old as the best player in the world, something that was said to have further affected the dwindling relationship between them. During a pre-season tour of Australia with Los Blancos, the Spaniard was asked the same question and he responded:

“To say that he (Ronaldo) is one of the best in the world I believe is sufficient.

“It is like asking my daughter if she prefers my wife or me. The father or the mother. It’s not easy.”

Ronaldo vs Messi head to head in 2015/16

This season, the Portuguese star has scored 30 goals and provided 10 assists in 29 appearances in all competitions (excluding country). On the other hand, his Argentine counterpart has scored 24 goals and provided 10 assists in 28 appearances. 

In La Liga this season, Ronaldo has scored 19 goals and provided 7 assists in 23 appearances while Messi has scored 12 goals and provided 5 assists in 17 appearances. 

In the Champions League, Ronaldo has scored 11 goals and provided 3 assists in 6 appearances while Messi has scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist in 3 appearances.

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Real Madrid 4 - 2 Athletic Club

February 13, 2016 10:00amEstadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)

This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.

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