good "he could play anywhere".
The Real Madrid superstar has had to adapt his
game in the past couple of seasons, gradually
morphing into a more traditional number nine after
spending his earlier years at Sporting CP,
Manchester United and Madrid as a marauding
winger with a keen eye for goal.
The 32-year-old has not scored for four LaLiga
games but was the inspiration behind Madrid's
Champions League quarter-final win over Bayern
Munich with five goals across the two legs.
And, speaking ahead of Saturday's visit of Valencia
to Santiago Bernabeu, Zidane was full of praise for
Ronaldo.
He said: "Ronaldo has always played on the wing
but he has the quality to play in several positions.
He could play as an out-and-out striker as he's a
great player.
"And almost 400 goals as a winger... that's
something we can't forget. It's an amazing
achievement but he's so good he could play
anywhere."
Zidane has several selection posers to solve before
the weekend with Gareth Bale injured and Isco,
Marco Asensio, James Rodriguez and Alvaro
Morata all vying to fill the void.
The Frenchman must also consider the fact Madrid
play city rivals Atletico Madrid in the first leg of
their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
He added: "I don't have a set idea [on how to
replace Bale], there are lots of options.
"I have to look at the opponents for example, how
they play, what's the best option for us but I know I
have lots of options because all my players are
good and have versatility."
Zidane offered a fitness update on central defender
Pepe, who has not played since suffering a rib
injury against Atletico on April 8.
"I don't know anything about his future," Zidane
said of the 34-year-old, whose contract expires in
June. "But there's a pain in his ribs. He is in better
shape and hopefully he'll be back before the end of
the season."
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