Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that the team feels more "appreciated" playing under head coach Zinedine Zidane.

The former France international took over at the Bernabeu in January, replacing Rafael Benitez, who was in charge for just six months.

"I think we feel more appreciated under Zidane," Ronaldo told UEFA's official media. "We feel his affection. We know he's in a period of adaptation, but things have come together very quickly and I'm really happy for him.

"I always admired him as a player, and now as a coach as well, for how behaves, how he deals with the players. He's a coach who I would like to see stay at Real Madrid."

Madrid, who have won their last 10 La Liga games on the bounce, are currently third in the league table, one point behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.