gets jealous of Cristiano Ronaldo as he hailed the
forward ahead of the Champions League semi-final
tie against Atletico Madrid.
Zidane enjoyed a star-studded playing career,
winning the World Cup and Champions League, but
wishes he had enjoyed the thrill of scoring goals as
much as his star attacker and namesake Ronaldo
Nazario, his former Santiago Bernabeu team-mate.
The Real boss was asked how Ronaldo compared
with the players he played with during his career
and conceded he was envious at their goal tallies.
"As a coach he is the best player I have had,"
Zidane said of the Portugal international.
"I wasn't able to play with him, unfortunately – but
I did play against him. His statistics are amazing.
"I played with the Brazilian Ronaldo, who was also
an extraordinary player who scored a lot of goals.
I'm jealous of them because I didn't have those
numbers.
"I got a lot of assists but I just passed the ball and
didn't have their goalscoring ability, so I never had
the same feeling – that thrill of the ball hitting the
net – as them.
"They are decisive players."
Zidane also spoke of his respect for opposite
number Diego Simeone ahead of the first leg of the
last-four tie at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
"Simeone and Mono [German] Burgos are doing a
great job for their club," said Zidane. "I know
Burgos a bit - I like him and have great respect for
him.
"I only know Simeone from playing against him but
they are two people I have enormous respect for
both of them for the job they are doing. Simeone is
a very experienced coach."
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