Cristiano Ronaldo will not leave Madrid — Zidane

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has said there is no chance Cristiano Ronaldo will leave the club while he is still in charge.

Three-time World Player of the Year, who opened the scoring in the first leg against Roma to take his tally in the Champions League to 12 in just seven games this season, was jeered by his own fans early in the second half against Celta at the weekend before exploding with four goals in 28 minutes. 

“I am the coach and I want Cristiano,” said the Frenchman, who also played for Madrid between 2001 and 2006. “They whistled me and everyone else. It is not about questioning the player, it is a fan base that always wants more from their players and that is good for the players to improve and always do well. 

“In the end, the fans will love the players and that is the most important thing. I always see a full stadium and that says a lot.” Ronaldo is expected to be joined in attack by Gareth Bale on Tuesday after the Welshman came off bench to score against Celta in his first appearance in six weeks after a calf injury. Bale wore socks with holes ripped out around his calves in an attempt to ease the pressure on his muscles after suffering a slew of injuries during his three years at Madrid. 

“I’m very happy after a few difficult weeks. It is great to win in this way, to come back, play and score,” said Bale. Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Marcelo are also expected to return to the starting line-up after injury as all three featured in training on Monday. French international Karim Benzema remains sidelined by a thigh injury, so Jese Rodriguez who scored the crucial second goal in Rome and looks set to deputise alongside Ronaldo and Bale. Roma are without Daniele De Rossi and German defender Antonio Ruediger, who are both sidelined due to injury.