Zidane Reacts to Cristiano Ronaldo's claim as the best player ever

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has reacted to Cristiano Ronaldo claim of being the "best player in history" following his fifth Ballon d’Or triumph on Thursday night.

The Portuguese forward Ronaldo beat his rivals to the award equaling Lionel Messi on five. The Real Madrid forward was of the opinion that he has done what he thinks it is unattainable by anyone and claims the ward means he is the best footballer in the history of the game.

Zidane was asked if he agrees with Ronaldo’s assertions, Zidane said: "Yes. There are lots of players who have been very successful in this club, but no one has achieved what he has, and what he's still going to achieve.

"I think he's the best player in the world. It's easy to praise Ronaldo, though there's little more that can be said.

"You can see what he contributes to the game every time he pays – he's phenomenal.

"Just the other day I was chatting with a few people and said that a player who plays 15 years here will not achieve what Ronaldo has.

"He's made history here and will hopefully stay until he decides to hang up his boots."

Ronaldo often finds himself the subject of speculation that he is not happy in Madrid and is angling for a move away, but Zidane insists such stories are pure fiction.

"He will always be here," Zidane said. "There's always that same debate with Ronaldo if he's happy or not.

"People just want to ruffle his feathers, upset Real Madrid and those working here. He's happy here, playing for the best club in the word.

"There's no debate, he came out and said so himself. We shouldn't read too much into anything else now."