Zidane and Frank Ribery were teammates in the 2006 World Cup [GALLO/GETTY]
Former three-time World Player of the Year, Zinedine Zidane, has spoken to France midfielder Franck Ribery to try and convince him to move to the Spanish capital from Bayern Munich.
Zidane, an advisor to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez told French newspaper Le Dauphine Libere that he was 'in talks' with Franck.
Zidane, who was a Real Madrid player from 2001 to 2006, praised the midfielder.
"He is a fantastic player who has his place at Real. "And playing in this team is a career opportunity, which, to me, you do not refuse.
"It would be a nice opportunity for Franck. It is up to him."
Zidane, an advisor to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez told French newspaper Le Dauphine Libere that he was 'in talks' with Franck.
Zidane, who was a Real Madrid player from 2001 to 2006, praised the midfielder.
"He is a fantastic player who has his place at Real. "And playing in this team is a career opportunity, which, to me, you do not refuse.
"It would be a nice opportunity for Franck. It is up to him."
Ronaldo bid
Zidane lauded Real Madrid's record-breaking acquisition of Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo.
Zidane was a World Cup winner in 1998 and held the record for the world's highest transfer fee after his 105 million dollar move from Juventus to Real in 2001, only for Ronaldo's 132 million dollar switch from English side Manchester United to eclipse his deal.
"I finally lose this record, which was pretty heavy to bear," said Zidane.
Real are on the verge of signing Cristiano Ronaldo after Manchester United accepted the bid for the Portuguese forward earlier this week.
Brazil playmaker Kaka has already joined from AC Milan for a reported fee of $94.27 million, while Ribery is likely to cost around the same amount, if reported bids for the 26-year-old are anything to go by.
"Bringing together the best players in the world has a cost," said Zidane.
"It's true that, with Kaka and Ronaldo, Madrid wanted to make a big statement. "It was the will of the new president, Florentino Perez.
"This man wants more than just making a name for himself, he wants to give the club the chance to return to the highest level and fight on an equal footing with teams like Barcelona, for example.
"As to whether or not it's reasonable, that's open to debate. But me, I don't have the answer."
Zidane was a World Cup winner in 1998 and held the record for the world's highest transfer fee after his 105 million dollar move from Juventus to Real in 2001, only for Ronaldo's 132 million dollar switch from English side Manchester United to eclipse his deal.
"I finally lose this record, which was pretty heavy to bear," said Zidane.
Real are on the verge of signing Cristiano Ronaldo after Manchester United accepted the bid for the Portuguese forward earlier this week.
Brazil playmaker Kaka has already joined from AC Milan for a reported fee of $94.27 million, while Ribery is likely to cost around the same amount, if reported bids for the 26-year-old are anything to go by.
"Bringing together the best players in the world has a cost," said Zidane.
"It's true that, with Kaka and Ronaldo, Madrid wanted to make a big statement. "It was the will of the new president, Florentino Perez.
"This man wants more than just making a name for himself, he wants to give the club the chance to return to the highest level and fight on an equal footing with teams like Barcelona, for example.
"As to whether or not it's reasonable, that's open to debate. But me, I don't have the answer."
Future plans
Zidane himself has set out his own plans for his future.
"Currently, things are going well with Florentino.
"He took me into his team because I know the Real changing room well," said the 36-year-old Frenchman, who retired after the 2006 World Cup.
"For the time being, I'm there to learn, to see how things work outside the changing room.
"Next year, we'll see what might interest me, in order to find something more precise at the club.
"I think I could really become part of the management team at the club and maybe take charge of its destiny."
"Currently, things are going well with Florentino.
"He took me into his team because I know the Real changing room well," said the 36-year-old Frenchman, who retired after the 2006 World Cup.
"For the time being, I'm there to learn, to see how things work outside the changing room.
"Next year, we'll see what might interest me, in order to find something more precise at the club.
"I think I could really become part of the management team at the club and maybe take charge of its destiny."
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