Furious Gareth Bale re-joins Real Madrid team-mates in training after skipping pre-season trip to play golf
GARETH BALE has returned to training with his Real Madrid teammates after he skipped a pre-season tour in anger at failing to secure a transfer to China.
The Welshman, 30, skipped the club’s pre-season trip to Germany out of frustration at being unable to secure an exit from the Bernabeu – before taking it out on the golf course.
The superstar is also thought to be angry at Zinedine Zidane’s handling of the the situation.
After the side’s 1-0 defeat to Spurs during the pre-season trip, the Frenchman said Bale did not travel to take part in the match because “he didn’t feel that well”.
The following day, Spanish media outlet El Confidencial published pictures of the four-time Champions League winner playing golf in Madrid.
Naturally, Zidane was questioned about the photos the following day, following his side’s victory over Fenerbache.
The 1998 World Cup winner said: “I’m here with my players, and I’m not going to comment on that. I hope he trained there. We are here, thinking about the team.”
When asked if Bale’s attitude had bothered him, Zidane replied: “Well, we’ll see when we get back.
“I will not prevent someone from doing something. He has to look after his responsibilities.”
The coach refused to give his opinion on the issue, stating: “I will not tell you if it (Bale’s professionalism) is disrespectful. You are not going to put me in a position that I don’t want to be in. I will not answer anything more than that.”
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Despite the frostiness between them, ZiZou hasn’t frozen Bale out entirely with the former Southampton player joining his team-mates upon their return to the Spanish capital.
But before the forward’s move to China collapsed last week, his manager told reporters it would be “best for everyone” if the former Tottenham man left the club.
This has led to differences in opinion between Zidane and club president Florentino Perez, with Bale’s future away from the Spanish capital uncertain.