source (just for u fsec janc
):
http://www.wldcup.com/news/2005Nov/2...ld_soccer.html
Zidane's Madrid warning for Ballack
Zinedine Zidane has welcomed reports Real Madrid are close to signing Germany captain Michael Ballack from Bayern Munich but the France star has warned he will not surrender the playmaking role lightly.
Madrid's Brazil star Ronaldo claimed on Sunday that Ballack could one day take Zidane's throne and become a Real Madrid legend but the Frenchman is not ready to step down just yet.
"If one player has the quality for Real Madrid it is Michael Ballack," Zidane told the Bild daily.
"However it will be difficult for him to play alongside me and I will not be giving up my place lightly."
Zidane, 33, watched Ballack in the recent friendly match with France in Paris and liked what he saw.
"I observed him during the international match in Paris," said Zidane. "He is a fighter and is certainly in good form this season. I do not know him that well but I have a lot of respect for him as a player and person.
"He needs to sort his situation out at Bayern and then should come to us. We would welcome him with open arms."
Ballack, 29, is a free agent in the summer after refusing to sign a four-year extension at Bayern and is set to talk with Spanish titans Madrid and other interested parties in January 2006.
After turning down Madrid in the summer of 2002, when he was at Bayer Leverkusen, Ballack is expected to join the nine-time European champions this time around with Bayern resigned to losing their star man.
"Ballack decides his future in January and he will probably sign for Chelsea or Real," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Chelsea have openly denied their interest in signing Ballack.
And Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said at the weekend they were looking for a different sort of player after having talks with Ballack's agent.
): http://www.wldcup.com/news/2005Nov/2...ld_soccer.html
Zidane's Madrid warning for Ballack
Zinedine Zidane has welcomed reports Real Madrid are close to signing Germany captain Michael Ballack from Bayern Munich but the France star has warned he will not surrender the playmaking role lightly.
Madrid's Brazil star Ronaldo claimed on Sunday that Ballack could one day take Zidane's throne and become a Real Madrid legend but the Frenchman is not ready to step down just yet.
"If one player has the quality for Real Madrid it is Michael Ballack," Zidane told the Bild daily.
"However it will be difficult for him to play alongside me and I will not be giving up my place lightly."
Zidane, 33, watched Ballack in the recent friendly match with France in Paris and liked what he saw.
"I observed him during the international match in Paris," said Zidane. "He is a fighter and is certainly in good form this season. I do not know him that well but I have a lot of respect for him as a player and person.
"He needs to sort his situation out at Bayern and then should come to us. We would welcome him with open arms."
Ballack, 29, is a free agent in the summer after refusing to sign a four-year extension at Bayern and is set to talk with Spanish titans Madrid and other interested parties in January 2006.
After turning down Madrid in the summer of 2002, when he was at Bayer Leverkusen, Ballack is expected to join the nine-time European champions this time around with Bayern resigned to losing their star man.
"Ballack decides his future in January and he will probably sign for Chelsea or Real," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Chelsea have openly denied their interest in signing Ballack.
And Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said at the weekend they were looking for a different sort of player after having talks with Ballack's agent.
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