Zinedine Zidane said he cannot envision Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid this summer, but is staying out of his contract talks with Florentino Perez.

Ronaldo is asking for a pay-raise to around €50 million per year and has grown tired of waiting. Ronaldo prefers a return to Manchester United though he's not ruling out remaining with Real Madrid.

"I do not imagine Cristiano anywhere else," Zidane said. "He is at his club where he should be. Everyone loves him here. I cannot see Madrid without Cristiano. I am most interested in the sporting side, and as always, in a difficult moment for the team, he is there.

"We know that people can talk and debate outside, but inside, Cristiano must just think about playing -- as he has always done."

Zidane has not discussed the contract situation with Ronaldo.

"I do not want to talk about the contract, or these things," Zidane said. "What I am most interested in is the pitch. That is what I talk to him about. Everything else he manages himself, I do not get into that. Everyone does what they think best. When I had difficult moments as a player, I just kept working hard and thinking the team would do good things soon."