Zinedine Zidane plays down Cristiano Ronaldo row after Real Madrid star is substituted in draw at Las Palmas
The Portuguese was removed after 72 minutes and was none too pleased about it.
Zinedine Zidane has looked to play down any row with star man Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese was visibly angered by the decision to substitute him against Las Palmas.
Real Madrid were held to a 2-2 draw in Gran Canaria, with the Portuguese superstar withdrawn after 72 minutes.
Zidane has been notoriously reticent to rest or substitute the 31-year-old but after six months of on-and-off injury struggles it appears Ronaldo may be seeing more time on the bench - whether he likes it or not.
"It was not that [Ronaldo] was playing badly," Zidane told reporters after the match.
"We are playing on Tuesday and Cristiano must rest too sometimes. It was just for that."
"He was playing well. Tonight I took him off thinking of Tuesday's game."
When asked about Ronaldo's reaction, a face like a thousand wasp stings and a snub for boss Zidane on the touchline, the Frenchman tried to claim that his number 7 wasn't as furious as he seemed.
"Angry? That would be your interpretation."
"He always wants to be on the pitch. We have to take him out sometimes, and we did today. It does not change anything."