Zidane says Bernabéu boo boys will not bother Ronaldo
"The public demands a lot from the players and the Bernabéu is special. Cristiano knows that and is not concerned by it," the Real coach said.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said he does not understand why some sections of the Bernabéu have turned on Cristiano Ronaldo as the Portuguese striker struggles to end a barren streak in front of goal.
The 31-year-old Ronaldo, who along with team mate Gareth Bale is on the shortlist for the 2016 Ballon d'Or for the world's best player, has failed to score in four straight games at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, a first in his Real career since joining in 2009.
He was jeered during Sunday's 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao even though the result returned Zidane's side to the top of the table.
"I don't understand the jeers but at the same time, I was also jeered and it can happen," Zidane, who won the World Cup as a player with France as well as league titles with Juventus and Real, said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Real's trip to Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey, a match that Ronaldo, Bale and Karim Benzema will be rested for.
Cristiano "unconcerned"
"The public demands a lot from the players and the Bernabéu is special. Cristiano knows that and is not concerned by it." Bale and other team mates have come to Ronaldo's defence, arguing that he excels in other aspects of the game.
Zidane expects Ronaldo to rediscover his goalscoring touch soon. "Of course I prefer if he scores two of three goals per game," Zidane said. "But I'm not worried because I know it will happen. He is not making his chances now but he will, soon he will do so and with calmness."
BBC untouchable
Zidane said that if Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema are fit, they would always play but Portuguese's current form has sparked a debate about his place in the team.
"I have three stars and they are going to be very important for the team," Zidane said. "The others may play less but they are still as important to me. There are always going to be some that have less minutes than others. This is logical. For me, they are all important."