Luis Figo: 'It was not the right time for Ronaldo to speak'

When asked if Ronaldo should remain with 'Los Blancos', Figo noted that the Portuguese star's situation is heavily dependent on a ''personal decision'' and noted that his own opinion ''doesn't matter''. 

He said: ''If you play at Real for a long time, they are the best team to play for. Whether he feels recognised or not, if he feels bad or not, if he feels satisfied...that is what he has to acknowledge. Madrid has given so much prestige to Cristiano.''

In addition, Figo added that the striker doesn't need to excel at the World Cup to be remembered as a world-class player because he believes that the Real Madrid star is already ''making history in football.'' 

He said: ''What he has achieved is very, very difficult to achieve, so I think he will be remembered for all the kind of things he has already done and I hope he will continue to do in the future.''

Figo also commented on Ronaldo's words after the Champions League victory where he hinted at a departure from 'Los Blancos', he said: ''I don't know why he did it, there are times when you should count to ten before speaking and he did not.''

When he was asked if Ronaldo is the best player in the world at the moment in time, Figo clarified that, depending on the season, the title could go to either the Portuguese or Barcelona's Leo Messi. 

He said: ''I think it's between him and Messi, they've been considered the best players in the world for the last ten years, so it depends on the type of season and their individual and collective performances, and also which team wins. So yes, this year was Ronaldo, but next year we will have to wait and see, it depends how they both fare in the World Cup as well.'' 

Figo also referred to the shock exit of Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane and revealed that the Frenchman's decision came as a surprise ''for everyone''.

He said: ''It's a personal decision, he thought it was the right decision for him and the club and he took it. I don't know why, I have not talked to him, but I think he felt it was the best decision for the future of the club.'' 

The former midfielder also stressed that whoever the incoming Real Madrid coach may be, they will need to have, among other qualities, ''the ability to manage the dressing room, something that is essential in all clubs today.''

He said: ''You must know that the club is special and of course, you must know the players and the league. I think the most important thing is to be a calm person, a sensitive person, I think those are the qualities.'' 

Figo added: ''Normally you would have a list of coaches [to choose from] when the situation occurs, but most of the best coaches are already at other clubs, so the Real Madrid president will make a decision. He could pick an available coach, a famous name, go for a guy who is just starting out or a new Zidane, as he was three years ago. I don't know.''