Zidane blasts Perez for Real dressing room split

MADRID: France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane blamed the policies of former president Florentino  Perez for the demise of Spanish giants Real Madrid in an outburst.

Zidane said that Perez's 'Zidanes and Pavons' policy, that of buying the world's top stars and mixing them with the club's young players, had divided the dressing room.

"What was a shame was saying that, the "Zidanes and Pavons", because within a group like ours, that divided us. That was clear," Zidane told television channel Antena 3.

"Those who spoke of the 'galacticos' are those who created problems within the camp. Our problems stemmed from the number of different personalities in the group. Players with big personalities and possibly a lack of communication."

"I am not going to say anything to 'Becks' (David Beckham), Raul or Ronnie' (Ronaldo). Sometimes I think we are afraid of saying certain things. That's what has cost us."

Real Madrid have had to settle for a third straight season without any silverware, something that helped convince midfield talisman and French legend Zidane to retire from football after the World Cup in Germany.