Three-time FIFA Ballon D’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo said the Real Madrid players are much happier under new boss Zinedine Zidane than immediate-past manager Rafa Benitez.
The capital club continued the fairy tale run of form under Zidane on Saturday, powering to a 5-1 win over Sporting Gijon, with two goals each from the duo of Ronaldo and Karim Benzema and a strike from in-form Gareth Bale, who was later forced off as a result of the recurrence of a niggling calf problem.
Ronaldo said he tried to do his best under Benitez as a professional, but there was no denying that the players felt more “empathy” towards club legend, Zidane.
While denying that the players deliberately got Benitez sacked after just 25 games in charge, he noted: “Zidane has been a boost for team. Truthfully, with some coaches you have more empathy than others.
“I did my job naturally under Benitez, I was serious and did the best for the club, independent of the person who is in charge of the team.
“I have never had a bad opinion of Rafa. He always did the best for Madrid, but he sees football in a different way from Zizou. Don’t ask me why, but the players feel more empathy for Zidane.”
Benitez had the worst win record compared to the last four managers that preceded him.
He won 17 of the 25 matches he competed in his tumultuous seven months in charge at the club.
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