ZINEDINE ZIDANE has told the angry Real Madrid fans: Lay off Gareth Bale.
But the Madrid boss has refused to confirm whether the Welshman is part of his first-team plans at the Bernabeu – or if he acted disrespectfully to the club during the international break.
Zidane has asked fans to lay off Bale for his Wales flag stuntCredit: Getty
Bale angered Real Madrid fans with his ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order’ flagCredit: Getty
Bale, who has often been seen as a public enemy No1 in the Spanish capital, angered the club’s fanbase after Wales beat Hungary to qualify for the Euro 2020 finals.
As part of the joyous celebrations, the 30-year-old posed with team-mates in front of a mickey-taking flag which said: “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order.”
Bale, signed for £86m from Tottenham in 2013, trained yesterday and today but has not played for the club because of injury since the 4-2 home La Liga victory over Granada.
Naturally Bale was the hot topic of conversation in today’s press conference – there were nine questions on him – and Zidane has asked supporters not to demonstrate or protest against his inclusion.
Zidane, 47, said: “If you look at what he has done for this club and those who really support the club, and those who come to the stadium, they know he is a Real Madrid player.
“You shouldn’t look at what goes on elsewhere. They have to support the team, the players, they have to get behind the side. And I will always support my players.
“Things might go on outside of the Real Madrid environment. But here, we are in this together.
“Sometimes people go over the top with this topic. Everyone has got their point of view. We are here to focus on football.
“I think now it’s almost the snowball effect. I mean he fit and could play with the national team.
“He is here, back, and is available and we are delighted. That is good news for the team. He has done a lot for this club.”
Asked if Bale was a first-choice player, Zidane refused to answer that question directly.
Likewise, when the topic of respect was brought up, and whether Bale has shown enough during his time at the club, Zidane replied: “I’m not going to share my views.
“It’s not really anything to do with me. Gareth Bale is my player.
“I’m the Real Madrid manager. They have always got their point of view and they are entitled to that point of view.”
Jubilant Gareth Bale celebrates Euro 2020 qualification by holding up fans’ hilarious ‘Wales, Golf, Madrid In That Order’ flag
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
