Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane explains latest Gareth Bale snub ahead of transfer window - 7M sport

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane explains latest Gareth Bale snub ahead of transfer window

Gareth Bale was left on the bench for Real Madrid’s final Champions League group match against Club Brugge.


Posted Friday, December 13, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Zinedine Zidane has played down the significance of Gareth Bale’s latest omission from the Real Madrid starting XI. Bale was an unused substitute in Real’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge on Wednesday night.

Bale's latest exclusion raised plenty of eyebrows, especially given his tumultuous relationship with Zidane - who wanted to sell him in the summer.

Zidane, however, has downplayed suggestions of a fresh rift between himself and the Wales international, insisting his decision to leave the former Tottenham man on the bench was a tactical one.

"Nothing happened,” the Frenchman said of Bale’s omission. “I had to make three changes and I chose the others. That's it."

Bale’s future at the Bernabeu has been up in the air since Zidane’s reappointment as manager in March.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane explains latest Gareth Bale snub ahead of transfer window
Zinedine Zidane has addressed rumours of a fresh rift between himself and Gareth Bale

After failing to seal a move to the Chinese Super League in July, Bale has been linked with a January exit from the Spanish capital.

The winger, however, won’t try to force through a move away from the Spanish giants.

"He has never asked to leave," Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett told the BBC. "He has a contract with Real Madrid and as long as they want him, there's not much anyone can do about it."

Barnett admits his client isn’t 100 per cent happy in Madrid but is adamant he’ll give his all for the club for as long as he remains there.

"He's not ecstatic,” Barnett said when asked if Bale is happy in Madrid.

"He has got a contract and as long as he is a Real Madrid player he will play at 100% - and do very well.

“He wants to win the championship and the European championship and everything else. It will not affect his performance.

"The facts and figures prove if he is on the field for Real Madrid they have a better chance of winning.

"No-one has ever accused him of not giving 100% and a 100% Gareth Bale is one of the best players in the world.

"The coach should be happy and honoured he is on the pitch for him.

"There's no guarantee he is leaving. If the right opportunity came along for him and it's something he wants to do we have to have a chat with the president of Real Madrid and see where we are."

Next up for Bale and his Real team-mates is a trip to the Mestalla on Sunday night to play eighth-placed Valencia.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.