'Genius' Ronaldo is not anxious - Zidane

Zinedine Zidane has dismissed suggestions Cristiano Ronaldo's recent LaLiga goal drought has made him anxious and labelled his star striker a "genius".

Ronaldo has netted just once in his last five league games ahead of Saturday's trip to Alaves and cut a frustrated figure in last weekend's 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Zidane acknowledged the Portugal captain - who led his team to Euro 2016 glory in France - was upset at his recent troubles but laughed off claims the player was overly perturbed at his displays over the past month.

The Frenchman told reporters at his news conference: "No, I've seen him upset but that's normal. He wants to score, so it's only natural that he's upset but I don't think he's worried at all.

"He's unique, what he's achieved is unique. He's played so well and scored so many goals. When he doesn't score, people start reading between the lines but he's a genius."

Ronaldo is the favourite to land the 2016 Ballon d'Or and Zidane backed his man to claim the award handed out by France Football.

"If you look back over the course of the year, and you look at what Cristiano has achieved, it's impressive," he added.

"What he's achieved in 2016, not just on an individual basis, but for his team and his country has been magnificent.

"There's been hard work from him but he knows there's always hard work from his team-mates [as well].

"I was asked about this the other day and I said he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or, clearly."

On paper, a trip to 13th-placed Alaves should pose few problems for a Madrid side unbeaten in 25 matches in all competitions, but Zidane urged caution.

He added: "We know that if we want to win something come the end of the season, we need to be fully focused and maintain concentration in each and every game.

"It's what we've been doing and it will help us achieve great things.

"We can't just turn up thinking it will be an easy game, we have to work. I think we've had a good week, we've trained well but no two games are the same."

Latest in
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
Latest in News
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Newcastle United's Dan Burn battles with Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on February 26, 2025.
I watch every football game on this TV - and it's been discounted by £210 in the Amazon Spring Deal Days
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Spain thanks the fans during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Netherlands and Spain at De Kuip on March 20, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Arsenal report: Martin Zubimendi 'very close' to shock Real Madrid move
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reacts at full-time of the Premier League match against Arsenal at Old Trafford on 9 March, 2025
Manchester United make exciting teenager 'top priority' this summer: report
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 23: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool set for major PSR hit ahead of the summer: report