Zidane concedes that Ronaldo is world's best

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane doesn't need any help boosting his player's morale, as the French legend's claim that Cristiano Ronaldo is the world's best footballer is sure to galvanize his star attacker.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is the best," Zidane told reporters. "People can say what they like about Cristiano Ronaldo, but in his heart he's a good person."

Zidane - who replaced Rafa Benitez at the helm of Los Blancos last month - learned a lesson from the Madrid-born gaffer, whose statement that Ronaldo was "one of the world's best" was met with derision from local media and supporters alike.

"Messi is the rival and that rivalry is great for the footballing spectacle, it's what the fans want to see."

That spectacle will experience its latest episode on April 3 when the record-setting Barcelona host Real at the Camp Nou, with the defending La Liga champions hoping to have expanded on its current four-point lead on its capital city rivals.

Even with the pressures of managing one of the world's most celebrated sides, Zidane admits that he has quickly become acclimated to the rigors of top-flight management.

"It's always the manager's fault if the team loses," Zidane added. "But you have to accept that responsibilty, with all the good and bad that comes with it.

"The main thing is getting my message across to the players. I only give them two or three instructions because they're extremely professional. I have a sensational group of players, I'm delighted with the work they're doing."

Sensational indeed, with much thanks to Ronaldo, who has 19 La Liga goals for Zidane's lot - one shy of Barca striker Luis Suarez's league-leading 20.