Ronaldo has closed Ballon d'Or debate with Atletico – Zidane

By Daily Sports on November 21, 2016

Zinedine Zidane feels Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick in the derby victory over Atletico Madrid has decided the 2016 Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo scored all three goals, one in the first half and two in the second, including a penalty, as Real Madrid claimed the bragging rights in the final La Liga derby at the Vicente Calderon before Diego Simeone's team leave their historic home at the end of the season.

Ronaldo is vying with 2015 winner Lionel Messi and the likes of Atletico's Antoine Griezmann for the biggest individual prize in world football.

And Madrid coach Zidane, who claimed the accolade himself in 1998, believes the Portugal star will be awarded his fourth Ballon d'Or on January 11.

"I've never had doubts that Cristiano is the best and tonight closes the debate," he said.

Zidane, who guided Madrid to Champions League glory with a penalty shootout victory over Atletico in the final at San Siro in May, was reluctant to describe the comprehensive victory on Saturday as the highlight of his brief career in the dugout so far.

"I do not know if [it is] the best, but we played a huge game against a difficult opponent and in a stadium where it is difficult to win," he said.

"In the second half it was logical Atletico's pressure [increased] in those first 15 minutes, but we produced the necessary intensity against a complicated opponent.

"It is an important victory for us, on a difficult pitch and with a rival that gives you a war. We played a very good game from the beginning. There are not many teams that can win on this pitch and we did well."

Asked if he will miss the Calderon when Atletico move to a new ground for the 2017-18 season, Zidane said: "Yes, sure. The players, fans... they are going to miss it. We're happy about this victory because there are not many teams that win here." (goal.com)

•Photo shows Cristiano Ronaldo

Source Daily Sports

Posted November 21, 2016


 

You may also like...
Salah, van Dijk on target as Liverpool go...

De Bruyne And Aguero Shoot Down Sheff Utd...

Barca’s Players Must Believe They Can Turn Things...

Mikel Guides Stoke City Back To Winning Ways...

Aina Ready To Prove A Point For Fulham...

Nigerian junior international Douglas Uzama’s murder drives home...

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,400 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,406 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,548 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,225 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,006 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,887 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,772 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,229 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,277 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,186 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,639 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,216 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media