The likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp have been named in the international sports media as potential replacements for Zidane, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said to be keen on the former option, who is the current manager of Tottenham in the Premier League.

However, amidst constant doubt over his future at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real’s undisputed number one star, Ronaldo, may also have some influence in Los Blancos’ decision. And, according to Spanish publication Diario Gol, the Portugal captain has his heart set on playing under a seemingly unlikely manager next.

Former Denmark international and Real Madrid veteran Michael Laudrup, whose managerial stints have included spells at Mallorca and Swansea, is a 33/1 outsider for the job when betting with Bethard and well down Perez’s shortlist – if even on it at all. However, Ronaldo is said to prefer the 53-year-old over the likes of Klopp, Pochettino and Arsene Wenger due to his technical prowess as both a player and coach, and his willingness to respect the senior players in Madrid’s squad.

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Laudrup has been at the helm of Qatari side Al-Rayyan since 2016, having been managing in the country since parting ways with Swansea in 2014. Certainly, if Real are to acquiesce to the demands of their influential forward, the Dane would surely be tempted to a return to Europe to manage one of the world’s greatest teams.

For his part, Ronaldo cast further doubt on his own future with Los Blancos following his side’s 3-1 Champions League final triumph over Liverpool last week. After initially speaking sentimentally about the club, telling reporters “it has been very nice being at Madrid” and that he would confirm his plans in “in the coming days”, Cristiano has since backtracked somewhat in subsequent interviews, but importantly, has yet to commit his future to Real by putting pen to paper on a long-tabled contract extension.

It is highly unlikely now that the Portugal captain will make an announcement on where he sees his future until after the World Cup concludes next month, but Real may use the intervening time to do everything they can to keep their prize asset. The first step towards achieving that goal could be to appoint a manager Ronaldo sees himself working with.

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“We will talk in the future. It’s been really beautiful to play for Real Madrid. I’ll give a response in the coming days,” the 33-year-old told BeIN Sports, seemingly speaking of his time with the club in the past tense, as if a possible departure is on the cards this summer. Inevitably, this led to the player being pressed further on the topic in later interviews.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was reportedly angered by those comments, although Cristiano has apparently apologised since, both to his colleagues and publicly. “Maybe it wasn’t the perfect timing to talk about personal things,” the Independent quoted the five-times Champions League winner, following comments during a radio interview, as the team and fans continued to celebrate their latest European triumph.

Nevertheless, the stellar forward did seemingly leave the door open to further speculation surrounding his future. “I’ll talk in a week when I am with the national team, because I don’t want to take this top moment away from Real Madrid,” he concluded. Portugal will be reliant on their veteran captain dazzling at the tournament, and with sports betting now being more accessible to consumers than ever before, Ronaldo – who has 81 international goals to his name – is likely to be a popular choice for next goalscorer as part of the tournament’s in-play markets.

Meanwhile, the media debates continue to rage and everyone appears to have an opinion. “I’ve heard so many times that he wants to go, that he’s staying, that they’re negotiating,” observed La Liga president Javier Tebas, in comments highlighted by Marca in the Spanish capital. “He’ll be playing for Real Madrid next year, I think,” the Spanish football supremo insisted.

Image Source: @ESPNFC via Twitter

Those thoughts from Tebas perhaps capture the reality of the situation, rather than the smoke and mirrors game playing out in many of the press stories. Indeed, it’s not the first time that Cristiano and Real Madrid have been in this situation, which has usually been resolved amicably with club president, Florentino Perez, by the player penning a new and improved contract.

This essentially appears to be the crux of the matter. Ronaldo has been an integral part of the club’s remarkable and unstoppable European success over recent years. However, his salary has been surpassed by those of stars such as Lionel Messi at Barcelona and Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain. Reading between the lines of the various reports, all the Real Madrid number 7 wants is parity in keeping with his stature in the game.

It’s not necessarily a question of the money itself, either. Simply the recognition that as the most successful footballer in the world, with more individual honours to his name than Messi, Neymar, or anyone else for that matter, the club should endeavour to keep that in mind during the latest round of contract negotiations. Both are part of a mutually beneficial relationship that has no good reason not to continue.

With at least another two or three years of top quality performances still in the tank, Cristiano knows that the best location for continued success remains at Real Madrid. Leaving while still at his peak, quite frankly, would be a nonsense. No doubt there’ll be plenty more gossip over the summer, but in the end, it’s hard to imagine Ronaldo wearing anything other than the famous white strip, come the start of the 2018-19 season in La Liga.

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During recent times, Ronaldo has been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, with reports suggesting that PSG are lining up a move for him or that he could be set for a return to Manchester United.

Zidane, however, only sees the 32-year old remaining at Madrid, with whom he has become the clubs record goal scorer and also won 14 major trophies.

Zidane ‘can’t imagine’ a Real Madrid without CR7

“He’s a Madrid player and he wants to finish his career here. I don’t see him playing anywhere else,” the 45-year-old said in a recent press conference.

Ronaldo has been arguably Real’s best player since he arrived at the club from United in 2009, and it is very hard to see the side willing to part ways with the footballing icon, and five times Ballon d’Or winner, just yet.

However, Ronaldo is now well into his 30s and his performances are declining – and will continue to decline as he continues to age.

Madrid will, therefore, need to start preparing for life without the Portuguese, and in the process, they may have to make some difficult decisions to make, such as whether he should remain the focal point of the team going forward.

How long can Ronaldo keep going?

It remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will be happy with this. As much as he has a pure love of the game, he also enjoys being in the media spotlight and being the main player for his side, so questions remain as to whether he would be willing to see his influence within the Real first team wane.

Should the club agree to him continuing to have an influential role within first team affairs, and if he can keep up a high standard of performances, it’s relatively easy to imagine that Ronaldo will see out his career with the Spanish giants.

CR7 is one of the hardest workers in world football; he is known to be the first one to arrive at training and the last one to leave, and this could help him to prolong his career beyond that of the average footballer.

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According to Italian publication Corriere Dello Sport, Los Blancos are set to offer the Portuguese star a new contract worth a reported £600,000 per week after tax, well up on the reported £365,000 the 32-year-old currently earns.

The staggering offer would bring Ronaldo’s salary on par with global rivals Neymar and Lionel Messi, two players the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has long campaigned to be treated on equal terms with. Despite the star having four years remaining on his existing contract, Real hope that the new deal will prove their commitment to their most prized asset.

However, even if the lucrative deal does materialise, it may not be enough to convince the Portugal captain to remain with Zinedine Zidane’s side; Cristiano is said to be ‘desperate’ for a move away from Madrid, where his relationship with club president Florentino Perez has considerably soured in recent months. Manchester United and Paris St-Germain remain favourites to sign the forward should he decide his future lies away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

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That’s according to British publication The Daily Record, who claim sources close to the Portuguese state that he is willing to “fight for a move” away from the Bernabeu next summer.

Following the €222 million signing of Barcelona forward Neymar by Paris Saint-Germain last year, the spend-happy French champions are considered amongst favourites to be bidding for Ronaldo’s signature should he become available, along with the 32-year-old’s former club Manchester United.

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According to Metro, Ronaldo believes Perez has “backtracked on a promise” to increase his wages after having one of the best seasons of his professional career, guiding Madrid to a memorable La Liga and Champions League double. Cristiano reportedly feels undervalued compared to those players considered below him in the pecking order for world’s best footballer: namely, Neymar and long-time rival Lionel Messi.

The 147-times-capped Portugal international was also reportedly angered by Perez’s recent media comments about his desire to have signed the Argentine superstar for Real earlier in the 30-year-old’s career, with some outlets claiming the player and president are no longer on speaking terms.

After signing a contract extension in November 2016 to take his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu through to 2021 at the earliest, however, there is plenty of time for Los Blancos to win around their star man.

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Today, one of the men at the centre of the controversy, Girona midfielder Alex Granell, has revealed why the Portuguese superstar snubbed his request to swap shirts at the end of the contest.

According to the 29-year-old, Ronaldo was incensed with the La Liga first-timers’ stalling tactics to close out the game. Speaking on Spanish radio, Granell said: “He [Ronaldo] said to me that he didn’t want to because he hadn’t like how we had managed the final minutes of the game. He told me I seemed like a good player, but that he wouldn’t change shirts with me.”

Cristiano was left visibly frustrated after coming under heavy attention from the resolute Girona defence throughout the contest, although he was instrumental in the game’s opening goal after his effort was parried out to Isco, who slotted home. However, a second-half double through Stuani and Portu secured the famous win for the home side.

The humbling loss left Los Blancos third in the La Liga table behind Barcelona and Valencia, and Zinedine Zidane will be keen for his charges to get back to winning ways against Tottenham in the Champions League this evening.

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La Liga officials have long claimed that Spanish employment law forces clubs to attach a buy-out clause to each player’s contract, but these numbers were largely thought to be hypothetical maximums. That is, at least, until Neymar’s €222 million transfer from Barcelona to Paris-St Germain this summer, in which the French cash kings lodged the full amount as a deposit with the league after the Blaugrana attempted to block the move at every turn.

As a result of such ludicrous figures now changing hands, the buy-out clauses of some of La Liga’s top stars have come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks. And, according to the Portuguese star’s contract with Real, Ronaldo is the joint-most valuable player in the world, with his buy-out – and surprisingly, that of teammate Karim Benzema – standing at a stunning €1 billion.

Lionel Messi, by comparison, has a relatively paltry buy-out clause standing at €300 million, with nine La Liga players deemed hypothetically more valuable than him. Of course, a large part of the figure being relatively “low” is Barcelona’s trust in their star man not to leave the club he so deeply cherishes.

While it would seem one billion euros should be enough to deter potential poachers, the past year has shown us crazy things do happen in football, and no amount of money for the signature of Cristiano Ronaldo can now be considered pure fantasy.

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Cristiano Ronaldo‘s fifth La Liga hat-trick of the season gave Real Madrid a 3-1 victory over Sevilla to keep the pressure on leaders Barcelona.

Ronaldo, whose quick-fire double midway through the first half put Carlo Ancelotti‘s side in command at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, capped the treble with a terrific header after being set up by substitute Gareth Bale in the 68th minute.

Carlos Bacca pulled one back from the penalty spot for Unai Emery’s side – who had earlier gone agonisingly close to taking the lead through Jose Antonio Reyes – after former Sevilla man Sergio Ramos had fouled Aleix Vidal in first-half stoppage time.

Sevilla, who face a Europa League semi-final clash with Fiorentina next week, did snatch a second through substitute Iborra, but despite a late onslaught, they were unable to prevent Real from securing a seventh consecutive league triumph.

With Barcelona having increased their lead at the top of La Liga to five points with an 8-0 demolition of Cordoba earlier on Saturday, Real got off to a positive start, with Sergio Rico pulling off a phenomenal save to prevent Ronaldo firing the visitors in front.

Sevilla, undefeated at home since a 4-1 loss to Barcelona in February 2014, were not to be outdone, however, with Iker Casillas, returning in place of Keylor Navas, having to be alert to deny Vidal.

Reyes almost nudged Sevilla in front soon after when Bacca, who scored twice last time out, played in a wonderful cross that the winger was just inches away from prodding in.

Ramos – deployed in midfield after returning from suspension – was involved in a clash of heads with Grzegorz Krychowiak soon after, with the Polish midfielder retreating to the sidelines for treatment.

And Real made the man advantage pay when, in the 36th minute, Ronaldo leapt to head home his 40th league goal of the campaign from Isco‘s hanging cross.

The Portuguese was on hand to double the advantage one minute later, tapping home at the back post following Javier Hernandez‘s flick-on.

However, Ramos‘ rash tackle on Vidal on the stroke of half-time gave Sevilla a golden opportunity to get back in contention and Bacca duly obliged as he converted from the spot.

Ancelotti introduced Bale – returning from injury – in place of Hernandez shortly after the hour mark and the change paid immediate dividends as the Welshman crossed to the back post, where Ronaldo executed a sublime header back across goal to seal his hat-trick in splendid fashion.

Emery brought on Kevin Gameiro and Iborra with 12 minutes remaining, with the latter on hand to tuck away a second for the hosts after being set up by Vidal just two minutes after coming on to set up a frantic final 10 minutes.

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With Barcelona suffering a shock defeat at home to Malaga on Saturday, Real had a chance to move four points clear and they grabbed it with second-half goals by Karim Benzema and Ronaldo.

Video: Cristiano Ronaldo Bullet Header vs Elche (Feb 22, 2015)

Although the Portugal forward struck a curling shot against the post after four minutes, Real struggled to break down a team that worked hard and were guilty of some aggressive challenges.

Benzema was unlucky to have a spectacular overhead kick ruled out due to a questionable offside call but he did knock a loose ball in from close range after 56 minutes.

Ronaldo then sealed the victory with a powerful header into the top corner from an Isco cross after 70 minutes.

It was a welcome goal for Ronaldo who has suffered a dip in form since Christmas following an electrifying start to the season and has now moved joint third in Real’s all-time list.

The Portuguese now has 290 goals and is level with Carlos Santillana, while Raul is out in front on 323.

“We’re trying to rediscover our best form and we know that in a short amount of time everything can change,” Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who celebrated his 500th La Liga match, told reporters.

“We received a lot of criticism but now the situation is more relaxed but this situation is normal playing for Real Madrid.

“Our attitude has always been right and it is usual that you have ups and downs in form. When you are down it is when you have to be more united and that has been the case.

Real once again started by deploying Lucas Silva in midfield with James Rodriguez and Sami Khedira injured and Asier Illarramendi still out of favour with coach Carlos Ancelotti.

Ronaldo was unfortunate with his early strike from the left of the area that hit the woodwork but he then fluffed a shot with the goal gaping after being found by Gareth Bale.

The visitors pushed forward and the Elche rearguard resorted to some combative tackles to keep them at bay.

Fullback Eduardo Albacar was booked midway through the first half after several fouls on Bale on the wing. Then early in the second half Aaron Niguez should have been dismissed for a reckless two-footed lunge on the Welshman.

While Benzema‘s acrobatic effort was ruled out in the first half he scored with a more mundane goal when he tapped in after a David Lomban clearance rebounded off keeper Przemyslaw Tyton and fell to the France striker.

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Ronaldo started the game with a return of just three goals from six league games since Christmas and, although still not at his best, showed his usual desire and was rewarded with Real’s second goal of the night.

The win put some daylight between Real and Barca, whose 11-match winning run came to an end with a surprise 1-0 defeat by Malaga at the Nou Camp, at the top of the table.

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Ronaldo ended a rare three-game slump without a goal to help Real Madrid win 2-0 at Schalke on Wednesday in the Champions League.

“It is clear that Cristiano Ronaldo lives to score goals,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “It’s never a problem for us when he doesn’t score for a couple of games. But he, of course, minds. I believe we are back on the right track.”

Madrid leads Barcelona by one point in the league before visiting a modest Elche side on Sunday.

Barcelona hosts Malaga on Saturday, three days before it travels to play Manchester City in the Champions League.

Not so long ago Ronaldo was running away with the Spanish league’s individual scoring title for the season.

Through 15 matches, Ronaldo had already tallied the impressive haul of 25 goals, while Messi – his closest chaser – was far behind with 13.

Since then, Messi has exploded and Ronaldo has struggled to keep up after facing 2 match ban. Ronaldo still leads with 28 goals, but Messi has closed the gap and has 26.

Counting all competitions, the two are fittingly locked on 37 goals in 34 appearances each.

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