Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Zinedine Zidane to continue as head coach at Real Madrid beyond this season.

The former France international replaced Rafael Benitez in January and has helped to sustain their push for a Liga and Champions League double heading into the final month of the campaign.

Speculation persists that Zidane could depart the club in June, however, with the 43-year-old unable to give any guarantees over his future when questioned on rumours in March.

Ronaldo has spoken in the past of how the Madrid squad have felt more at ease under Zidane than Benitez and he has called for the coach to be given more time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I think we feel more valued with Zidane," he told Madrid's official website. "We feel his affection, we know it's a process of adapting but things have flowed very quickly and I'm very happy for him.

"I already admired him as a player and now as a coach for his manner and his way of selecting the players. He's a coach who I would like to continue at Real Madrid."