France legend Zinedine Zidane believes Real Madrid will end up signing Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Spanish giants have made no secret of their desire to sign the 23-year-old Portuguese winger, despite United's insistence they will not sell.

"Every time Madrid want good players they get them," said former Real star Zidane, in Vienna for Euro 2008.

"He's had a great season, and he's a Champions League winner, and if he wants to play there, then he can."

Zidane cost about £46m when he moved from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001. That fee remains a world record for a player, but the Frenchman, 36 on Monday, thinks Real Madrid could possibly have to spend more than that to land Ronaldo.

And he said he would be happy to no longer be the world's most expensive footballer - having joined Real from Juventus for £45.8m in 2001.

"If he goes to Madrid, it will be a big amount, but Madrid is ready to pay far more than they paid for me," said Zidane.

"This will actually lift a weight from my shoulders. Hopefully they will pay more for Ronaldo than they did for me."

Zidane, who retired from international football after the 2006 World Cup, said that he had been impressed with Russia's Andrei Arshavin during Euro 2008 so far.

"When you see their number 10 it is great," Zidane said.

"What he does at this stage is more difficult than a World Cup because it's the first big tournament he has played in.

"I was very happy to see that type of football played. He has great feet."

Zidane, who was in Vienna with manufacturers Adidas for a coaching clinic for children, confirmed that he wants to return to football but stressed that he had no imminent plans to do so.

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