Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will not be sold by Real Madrid, insists Zidane

The star players have been consistently linked with transfers away from the Bernabeu and back to the Premier League but the French coach of Madrid’s reserve team says this will not happen.

Zidane, who won the Champions League with the club in 2002, told Shortlist: "No, he [Ronaldo] is not for sale, it wouldn't make sense.

"Big players are what people want to read about, so that is why they are written about, but why would Real Madrid have any intention of selling the best player in the world?

"Cristiano Ronaldo has been the best player in the world for the past few years, and he knows he is the best.

"It doesn't mean that he doesn't work hard, or that he doesn't want to improve and get better, but he has that confidence where he knows how good he is.

"I was not the most prolific goalscorer, but I knew how good I was. I knew that I could read the game and see things one or two seconds quicker than everybody else."

Wales star Bale has had a mixed start to the season and has struggled with injuries and a dip in form. But Zidane insisted the same stance would be taken by the Spanish club on the former Tottenham player.

"Of course clubs are going to want Gareth, he is one of the best in the world, but I am not sure how much clearer we can be," added Zidane.

"Gareth has made it clear, his agent has made it clear, we have made it clear, his future is at Real Madrid. We sign the best players in the world, we don't sell them."