FIFA President Gianni Infantino has advised Real Madrid to find a replacement for departed star player, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Infantino made this known to the media on Tuesday while attending La Liga’s features draw.
The FIFA boss admitted that new Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui still has a strong squad to work with but Ronaldo’s exit was no doubt a serious setback.
He added that the club and Spanish football must find a replacement for the 33-year-old five-time FIFA Ballon D’Or winner.
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Infantino said, “Cristiano is a ‘crack’, one of those players who make us dream.
“That he is not playing in Spain any more means that Spanish football will have to look for someone to replace him. But I am convinced that Madrid have great players, champions.
“A team that loses Cristiano Ronaldo is weaker than a team with Ronaldo, but those white shirts have a phenomenal force. Madrid still have a spectacular team and a very strong coach in Lopetegui … so I believe this will be another good year for Real Madrid.”
Although Infantino did not suggest a player to the 13-time UEFA Champions League winners, the club has already seen the chase of Paris Saint Germain’s duo of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar fail, with both players committing their future to the French giants.
Talks of a move for Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi have also grown cold with two weeks to the close of the summer transfer window.
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The FIFA President noted that the 2018/2019 La Liga season would be a contest between Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and reigning champions, Barcelona.
He further predicted that Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi would most likely be the standout performers of the upcoming season.
“We will have a very hard season after the World Cup, where Griezmann was champion,” Infantino added. “(Atletico coach Diego) Simeone knows how to motivate his team. Barca have Messi.”