Zidane and Ronaldo, two galacticos in distress

Ronaldo Nazario (22-9-1976) and Zinedine Zidane (23-6-1972) They have had crossed lives and this Saturday they will meet again on the road in a situation that neither of them would have imagined when the football course started back in September. Their friendship comes from their time at the Galacticos, with Florentino Pérez at the head of that project that transcended the whole world due to its media impact and the wise choice of the players chosen to make a mark at the Bernabéu. Zidane, 48, was Florentino's second galactic. He presented it on July 9, 2001, being at that time the most expensive signing in history (12,500 million of the old pesetas), coming from Juventus. A year later it was the turn of the galactic number three, Ronaldo (44 years old). Inter received 45 million euros in a transaction sealed on the last market day (August 31). When the current owner of Valladolid arrived in Madrid, the whites came from winning the Ninth in Glasgow with a magical goal from Zidane, a volley, that has gone down in history.

The friendship between the two was nurtured in the four years they spent together at the Bernabéu. They did not get the Tenth, but they did get a League that had a sounded and controversial celebration (that of Txistu in 2003) and a Spanish Super Cup, already with Beckham in the galactic team (2004). Zidane left the club in 2006 after the World Cup in Germany and his famous header to Materazzi (which deprived him of winning that Ballon d'Or, which ended up in the hands of Cannavaro), and was proud to renounce the 12 million euros of his last year of contract feeling that he no longer contributed to Madrid what it needed from him. Ronaldo lasted a few more months, until January 2007, but this time he left with a transfer to Milan when Capello did not want him in his team. Both Zizou and Ronie maintained personal contact since then by coinciding in various publicity events and because of the friendship with Florentino.

Therefore, this Saturday they will merge in a hug when they coincide in the Nuevo Zorrilla. The situation of both is very uncomfortable. The Brazilian is gambling a lot of money from his personal investment in the Pucelano club and more if the descent to Second is consummated, since television income would be greatly diminished. A victory against Atlético and two defeats against Huesca and Elche are their only lifeline. A difficult combination to imagine. But Zidane, who would be eternally grateful to Ronaldo if his team manages to at least tie Atlético del Cholo (that would give Madrid the League if they defeat Villarreal in Valdebebas), is also not to shoot rockets. Although his team has competed with great dignity until the last date of the calendar, the truth is that if the miracle is not consummated on Saturday and Atleti sings the league alirón, Madrid will have closed the season without a single title to throw into their mouths (Last season he won the League and the Super Cup). It would be a sad farewell for Zidane, which could be accompanied by the pain of his friend Ronaldo due to a possible relegation from Pucela. It's not going to be an easy Saturday for these two galactics, who undoubtedly lived much better times together.