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ESPN staff 8y

Roberto Carlos says Real Madrid will improve under Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos is "certain" his former club will improve under new manager Zinedine Zidane.

Roberto Carlos and Zidane played together at the Bernabeu from 2001-2006, and the Brazilian said his former teammate will have an easier time relating to the players than his predecessor Rafa Benitez.

Zidane won the Champions League and La Liga as a player with Real and took home the Ballon d'Or after winning the World Cup with France in 1998, and Roberto Carlos said that experience will help him relate to Real's current superstars.

"Finally, [president] Florentino [Perez] with his intelligence has brought in Zidane," he told Radio Marca. "He is a modern manager. He thinks like the players.

"The players did not understand Benitez. With Zidane, I am certain Madrid will play better."

Perez has received his share of criticism for keeping a short leash on managers -- Zidane is the club's 14th manager in 13 years -- but Roberto Carlos said he may have finally found his man.

"It's the best decision from Florentino Perez," the Brazilian said. "Zidane is not a coach, but he is a teacher."

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