Gareth Bale accused of picking up a new injury after playing 36 holes of golf on Sunday

Gareth Bale is injured again.

According to news filtering out of Real Madrid, the Welsh star will be absent from Real Madrid’s upcoming match against Villarreal on Wednesday.

Zinedine Zidane has told reporters that Bale is out due to a muscle “overload”. Moreover, the Madrid manager also claimed that the source of Bale’s injury was picked up in last weekend’s 5-1 win against Getafe.

Against those claims from Zidane, some are spreading rumours that Bale’s injury came as a result of a day’s golfing on Sunday.

The day after the Getafe game, Bale played 36 holes of golf. Reacting to Bale’s off-field activities, Zidane has said “I don’t think that Bale played golf”.

Bale was at the Spanish Open on Sunday.

Bale’s latest setback has come at a bad time for Madrid, after Barcelona have lost their way in the Spanish title race.

The Catalans have lost four of their last five matches, as their lead at the top of La Liga has been shredded.

Barca are now sharing top spot along with Atletico Madrid, while Real Madrid are a point further behind.