Educationsport

ZINEDINE ZIDANE believes Cristiano Ronaldo would even have outshone him if they had they shared the same pitch – but admits his star player is a worrier

Ronaldo looks to inspire Real to Champions League victory over Juventus in Cardiff tonight and help nail down his fifth Ballon D’Or crown in the process.

And Zidane admits he would have had to play second fiddle had the two of them ever been lucky enough to grace the same side.

“Who would be the superstar? Ronaldo, no doubt,” he said. “He scores goals and that’s most important. I used to play quite well but scoring goals was not my speciality. I was better at assists. I scored some important goals but not many.”

Zidane also revealed that, while most of Ronaldo’s life is spent in the glare of the spotlight, there is a side to him very few see. “He’s a good person; he worries about the other players,” said Zidane.

Zinedine Zidane

“I would like to insist that what is important is what he does professionally but also that he always wants more.

“Even in a training session he wants to win. What he really offers us is that he absolutely always wants to win. He has something deep inside. He is a born leader and that shows especially on the pitch.”

Zidane laughed off Juventus’ suggestions that his side go into tonight’s match under the pressure of being favourites.

The 44-year-old said: “We are prepared and ready. There is no pressure. I think Real know how to feed off such  pressure.

“I have seen it as player and coach. People always say we are favourites but there are no favourites in a final. It’s one game and any things can happen. Its 50-50. We will do everything possible to win.”

Zidane’s remaining big decision is whether to start Gareth Bale on the bench and stick with Isco or risk the Welsh ace from the start.

He said: “I’m not saying who plays, but they are two players who can play together!

And the Real coach says that while winning the final is obviously his main objective, he could not have asked for anything more from the game.

“If someone had said to me as a child I would live all of this I wouldn’t have believed them,” he said. “But I’m enjoying it all. I’m only the coach. We and the players are living something spectacular. It’s beautiful and we are ready to play.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is aiming to win his fourth Champions League trophy

Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos, meanwhile, says his side are aware they have a date with destiny tonight.

The Galacticos go into the clash with Juventus aiming to be the first team to win back-to-back Champions League titles.

No team has managed that double in the 25 years since the old European Cup was given a major facelift.

Real beat Atletico Madrid last year and now get the chance to carve their names in history.

Ramos said: “It is our appointment with history. We are extremely motivated and excited about the possibility. We are aware of the opportunity history has given us. We never dreamed of it but the statistics are there for us.”

Source Express.co.uk

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