Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has paid tribute to Zinedine Zidane and branded the Frenchman "the perfect coach" for Los Blancos.

Zidane represented Real Madrid as a player between 2001 and 2006, helping the Spanish club win one La Liga title and the Champions League.

Arbeloa's first spell at Real Madrid saw him play alongside Zidane in the first team, and the defender has claimed that he is sometimes "left open-mouthed" when he takes stock of his head coach.

"When I look at him sometimes I am left open-mouthed because he's a special player and I have to tell myself that now it's normal," he told Real Madrid's official website.

"He's my coach and I think that that's positive. I feel privileged to be playing here, in the best team in the world, and in a city like Madrid. I feel at home here.

"Zidane was my idol when I was a kid. A few years ago, he was a teammate and now he's my coach. He trains alongside us and we want to learn from him. He's the perfect coach for Real Madrid."

Arbeloa's Real Madrid contract is due to expire at the end of the current season.