Sergio Ramos Aims Sly Dig At Salah Over Ronaldo

RICHARD TANNER

Real Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos fired a shot across Mohamed Salah’s bow on the eve of the Champions League final, saying the Premier League Player of the Season could soon be out of fashion.

And the Real Madrid skipper, dismissed suggestions Liverpool’s record-breaking striker was at the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, insisting the La Liga superstars are “in another orbit”.

Ramos says 44-goal Salah has to prove he can continue this season’s remarkable scoring exploits for years to come before he is talked about in the same bracket as Real team-mate Ronaldo and Barcelona’s Messi.

“Comparing players with Ronaldo and Messi is something you can’t do,” said Ramos.

“There are players who are in fashion – those who come and go – and others who stay around.

“Salah is a top player, that’s clear. He has shown that this year and he has a great chance to show that over the next few years, as Ronaldo and Messi have done. But let’s hope (he starts) the day after the final.”

Ronaldo is bidding to win his fifth Champions League title – he earned one with Manchester United and three in the last four seasons with Madrid. And Real boss Zinedine Zidane dismissed suggestions the Portugal ace had not fully recovered from a recent ankle injury.

“He is doing great,” said Zidane.

“I said recently he was at 150 per cent but if he is doing 140 per cent that is great too.

“You have to know he lives for these matches. This is what makes him tick.”

Zidane – who is also chasing history by becoming the first coach to win three consecutive European Cups – insists the favourites’ tag means nothing to him.

“We don’t feel that way,” he added.

“We are not the favourites. This is a 50-50 situation. We have to play a great match to win it.”