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Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid will not sell Cristiano Ronaldo
As long as Zidane is the coach, at least.
Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images
Rumors have flown all season that Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale can’t coexist in the same team. Ronaldo, despite occasional bursts of brilliance, looks like he’s lost a half-step. Maybe Real Madrid should sell him while they can still get a huge fee?
Nah, says Zinedine Zidane. “I don’t [think Ronaldo should be sold]. And I am the coach and I like Cristiano,” he said pretty unequivocally.
Of course, Zidane could be removed as coach if he doesn’t finish the season strongly. Then we get to start this all over again.
Goal of the day
In the news
One fan killed another over a Messi vs. Ronaldo argument. Please don’t do this. (BBC)
Eva Carneiro wants a public apology from José Mourinho as part of a settlement in her case against Chelsea. (Guardian)
Gareth Bale is trying to prevent injury by cutting holes in his socks. (AS)
Antonio Conte wants his part of a match-fixing trial expedited so it doesn’t prevent him from joining Chelsea. (Football Italia)
You should be reading
Jason J. Cohn on how FIFA rankings screw over certain countries and help others. (Vice)
James Yorke asks if Mauricio Pochettino has built something sustainable at Tottenham. (Stats Bomb)
Jake Meador on how Leicester’s biggest challenge is against lower-table teams, not big ones. (Just Football)
What happened this weekend
Here are highlights of the weekend’s EPL action. (NBC Sports)
Barcelona maintained their gap at the top of La Liga with a big win. (Barca Blaugranes)
Juventus were less impressive, but did the same in Serie A. (Black and White and Read All Over)
Bayern and BVB drew 0-0, solidifying the Bavarians’ first-place standing. (Bavarian Football Works)
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