Real Madrid vs Valencia - Ronaldo is not leaving Real Madrid any time soon - Zidane

Posted Saturday, August 26, 2017 by PA

Zinedine Zidane insists Cristiano Ronaldo is not going to leave Real Madrid any time soon.

The Real boss will be without the services of his Portuguese star striker when Valencia visit the Bernabeu on Sunday as Ronaldo is still serving a five-match ban following his Supercopa antics.

Reports this summer have linked the former Manchester United player with a move away from Madrid as he is said to be unhappy about his treatment by Spanish authorities.

He is frustrated by an investigation into his tax returns - he denies any wrongdoing - and has regularly taken to social media to criticise the disciplinary committees that have enforced his long suspension.

Zidane will not welcome Ronaldo back into contention until mid-September yet he is confident he will actually be able to do so as the Portugal international is "delighted with everything he has" in Madrid.

He told realmadrid.com: "Money issues are none of my business. That's a matter between him and the club. It's not my job.

"Cristiano's here and he is not going to move from here. It's his club, his team and his city.

"He is delighted with everything he has here. I don't have any doubt about that."

Zidane does not expect to sign anyone else before the transfer window shuts on Thursday night.

"With the squad I have right now I don't need anyone," he said. "We are ready.

"We do not need reinforcements."

Real captain Sergio Ramos will also sit out the Valencia clash after seeing red in last weekend's 3-0 LaLiga victory at Deportivo La Coruna.

His replacement is unlikely to be Raphael Varane, however. The Frenchman is struggling to recover from an abductor injury and will have to remain sidelined along with Jesus Vallejo.

Zidane added: "I could use him tomorrow but I don't want to risk him getting a more serious injury.

"We hope he will use the next few days to recover. The health of the player is the most important thing."

On Valencia, whose season began with a 1-0 home win over Las Palmas, Zidane said: "They are playing well - they are organised and defend well.

"We know how difficult the game will be and we are highly motivated before facing any rival, before going into every match."

Los Che will take new loan signing Geoffrey Kondogbia to the capital following his arrival from Inter Milan on Monday.

Midfielder Dani Parejo has taken back the captaincy he lost under Gary Neville and is happy to continue with the east-coast club despite reported interest from Premier League clubs.

He told AS: "It's my seventh season here, I'm growing as a person and as a footballer, helping my team-mates and helping us improve our results.

"We all have to be leaders - I'm just one piece of the puzzle. But yes I consider myself important because the coach (Marcelino) has given me confidence.

"However, a player does not win titles, a team does.

"This will be a difficult match but we've stood up to them in recent years and I hope we can repeat that, but this time getting the win."