Zinedine Zidane Admits Cristiano Ronaldo Contract Extension Is 'Vital' Target for Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane has admitted that Real Madrid are hoping to keep Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu for 'many years' after recent reports claimed contract talks between the two parties had stalled.

It had been said that the 31-year-old's desire to remain in Madrid for the next five years had caused some friction while the contract talks continued, butZidane told the pressafter Wednesday's win overCultural Leonesa that the club wanted Ronaldo to remain for 'many years' too.

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Zidane: "It was a very complete, disciplined performance."

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"It is vital," heinsisted. "We want him to continue with us for many years. That is our desire.We want to keep this team as it is very complete and we are trying to continue with this [squad] for many more years to come."

Real demolished their little-fancied opponents 7-1 to move into the next round of the Copa del Rey, withZidane saying:"I am very happy with the performance, starting the game very well, with intensity, playing the game in their half.We played a serious game. That was the most important for me, and respecting our opponent.

"They are a good team who play good football. There is a difference [in quality] which is normal. I am very happy. Today was a complete performance, even though [La Cultural] scored."

Real Madrid fans are booing Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane is not surprised controls> > 3X7p pic.twitter.com/03AFqcyXAn

He spoke in glowing terms of his squad depth, adding:"We will always have players who play more, and others who play less.But the good thing is that when you make a change, the player is ready to come in. Today they showed that. It is difficult as we have a game every three days.

''It is difficult to be always at your best. But my responsibility is for the team to always compete, in every game, every moment. We are doing that very well at the moment, but we have not won anything yet, this is all very long -- Copa, Liga and Champions League."

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