Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane replied to increasing transfer reports that after this season, the Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, would leave the club.
Messi has been in Barcelona since he was 12 and won every laurel in club football while at the club, but the disputes with head coach Quique Setien and the recent loss in the champions league have, according to sources, made the striker doubt his loyalty to the club.
Rivals, Real Madrid beat Getafe to move four points ahead of Barcelona on Thursday night, with five matches remaining in La Liga. And with the Champions League filled with strong opponents, Barcelona could end the season without any major trophy.
Asked whether Messi would like to leave or stay in the wake of the speculation, Zidane said.;
“I don’t know what will happen but we hope not because he is in this league and we want the best in this league,” Zidane said post-match.
Sergio Ramos was Madrid’s hero against Getafe, scoring the only goal in the 79th minute from the penalty spot at Stadium Alfredo di Stefano.
Captain Ramos was praised by Zidane who brought his La Liga tally to nine goals in 2019-20 after his 450th league appearance for Madrid.
“Our captain is our leader on the field, but also outside,” Zidane said of the Spain skipper, who took his career total to 100 goals.
“He is an unrepeatable player. He is unique and we know what he transmits to everyone else. I’m happy for him for his goal because when it comes to shooting a penalty, he has a lot of confidence.
“It’s almost in the 80th minute and Dani Carvajal’s effort in goal is from the whole team. We know that with patience and tranquility we can score goals. This is what happened.
“The last 20 minutes with freshness we claimed a very important result. We have to congratulate all the players because what we are doing is not easy.”