Can't imagine Real Madrid without Cristiano: Zidane

Spanish football giants Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has said he does not see his club in the future without Portugese star Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I always say the same, I can't imagine Real Madrid without a Cristiano," Zidane said on the 32-year-old forward, whose contract expires in 2021, reports Efe.

Ronaldo wants to increase his salary, which is below that of players like Lionel Messi of Barcelona or Neymar Jr of Paris Saint-Germain, amid reports that a possible refusal by Real Madrid could provoke his departure.

The French coach pointed out that he talks with Cristiano about, "on-field matters."

"I don't want to talk about the contract or things like that. Cristiano can do that and it's him and the club who should talk about that," Zidane reiterated, according to Real Madrid's official website.

Zidane also spoke about his future at Real Madrid, stressing that he does not "overthink anything, I live day to day and I'll not change that. The situation is what it is today."

--IANS

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