Real Madrid GM Valdano tells stroppy Ronaldo: It's for your own good

Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano has dismissed the strop of Cristiano Ronaldo after his substitution against Tenerife.

"Players always want to be super competitive on the field. Sometimes you have to take care of players even against their will," said Valdano.

Asked if he thought coach Manuel Pellegrini can handle the pressure of being in charge of Real, Valdano added: "Since I've known it, I have not seen at this club any coach who has been altered so little in his first month of work."

"He is very balanced, with clear objectives and an enormous serenity. We lack the proof of how a defeat will be handled, but he is a coach who has come to Madrid at a point of maturity necessary to endure what this club requires."