Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has opened up about the “frustration and resentment” he felt under Zinedine Zidane’s regime.
Ceballos, 23, was handed just 12 La Liga run-outs in 2017/18 by the France legend following his July 2017 arrival from Real Betis. But change is in the air at Santiago Bernabeu after the previous head coach stepped aside after two-and-a-half glorious years and Julen Lopetegui was named as replacement.
Speaking to Radio MARCA, the new Spain call-up detailed his emotions in the wake of a trying debut campaign.
“During the regular season, I felt frustration and resentment towards Zidane,” Ceballos explained.
“There was a moment in the season when both [Toni] Kroos and [Luka] Modric were injured, but he opted to change the style of play to bring in others players instead. It burns you a little and hurts you.
“We were 15 points behind Barca and only had the Champions League to look forward to, but I also did not enter those dynamics.”
Ceballos has featured in two of Madrid’s three top-flight matches in 2018/19.