Real Madrid Roster & Rumors: Club Won’t Give Up on Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale & Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez expressed support to superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, and embattled coach Carlo Ancelotti following their recent disappointing performances.
Ronaldo is getting criticism from fans for his subpar performances since being named as the 2014 Ballon d'Or winner earlier this year. The Portugal international scored twice in their loss to Schalke in their Champions League tie on Tuesday, but Ronaldo has yet to reach the kind of form he had earlier in the season.
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner was also criticized for allegedly showing lack of focus after he was seen partying following a humbling loss to Atletico Madrid last month.
When asked about the recent tirades against Ronaldo, Ancelotti defended their superstar, saying that he will not question Ronaldo and that media reports are just blowing things up.
"I am not getting into questioning Cristiano Ronaldo," Perez said in a news conference. "There are people who do not love us in the media. I will not repeat his CV, he just picked up his third Ballon d'Or.
Bale has been under fire as well this season as most fans believe that the Wales international is now a shadow of the player Real Madrid acquired in a lucrative deal with Tottenham in the summer of 2013. The 25-year-old is also being criticized for being an individualist, but Perez said that they are not giving up on the star midfielder.
"Gareth Bale is one of best players in the world," Perez said.
"The most important teams fight and continue to fight for his services. We should not forget that in his first year at Real Madrid, what he was capable to do in the two finals we played -- score in the Champions League and Copa del Rey."
As for Ancelotti, Perez also insisted that they are not thinking of parting ways with the 55-year-old Italian manager despite their disappointing performance against Schalke in the Champions League Last-16, where they escaped with a 5-4 win on aggregate to advance to the next round.
"Whatever happens in coming weeks, Carlo Ancelotti will remain Madrid coach," Perez said via ESPN FC. "And all players have the support and affection of the club, board and president. We have best coach and players for Madrid. They have won respect of all football fans, and especially all Madridistas."
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