Real Madrid Manager Zinedine Zidane was asked at the MLS All-Star Game news conference today whether or not he was disappointed in Cristiano Ronaldo for not assuring club supporters about his future. Ronaldo had to appear in court yesterday, and afterward he issued a statement strongly refuting the case brought by the Spanish tax agency who claim he committed a €14.7 million tax fraud.
These allegations angered CR7 so much so that earlier this summer he made it known that he wanted out of Spain. Ronaldo transfer rumors resurfaced, taking over the global football news cycle for weeks this offseason.
Cristiano Ronaldo also posted this angry Instagram, voicing his displeasure with the situation:
Despite this angry post, in which Ronaldo wrote: “What bothers people is my brilliance. Insects are attracted to lights that shine,”
Zidane said CR7 is relaxed about the situation, has put it behind him, and that he’s set to return to Real Madrid on August 5th.
“The important thing is what he said to me,” Zidane said in response to the question about Cristiano Ronaldo not re-affirming his future at the club.
“He has been enjoying his holidays. Now that (July) 31 has passed, he is more relaxed. He will be with us on (August) 5th.”
“I have not spoken directly with him [since the hearing]. I don’t think these things affect him. He is happy now as it is past. It was good news for him to be able to give evidence, and now return to football. He wants to play football, be with us, and not talk any more about this.”
So there you have it- final confirmation that Ronaldo will not be with Real tomorrow night when his teammates take on the MLS All-Stars at Soldier Field in Chicago. For audio of the full Zinedine Zidane press conference click below here:
https://soundcloud.com/p-m-banks/real-madrid-press-conference-mls-all-star-game-zinedine-zidane-toni-kroos
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV.
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