GARETH BALE was all smiles as he trained with Wales – a real contrast to the doom and gloom of life in Spain.
The Real Madrid superstar has been frozen out by Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu, playing just 100 minutes of their previous 12 games.
Gareth Bale looks a different man away from his Real Madrid saga as he jokes with Wales team-mate Chris Gunter in trainingCredit: Alamy Live News
Relaxed=looking Gareth Bale knuckles down to practice at the Vale Resort in Hensol, Wales ahead of two Nations League gamesCredit: Alamy Live News
Gareth Bale and his Real manager Zinedine Zidane have a difficult relationship, with the ex-Spurs star barely playingCredit: Getty – Contributor
But Bale linked up with Ryan Giggs’ Wales on Sunday and was seen laughing and joking with his team-mates at their Vale of Glamorgan HQ on the outskirts of Cardiff.
Wales are preparing for their Nations League double-header against Finland in Helsinki on Thursday and Bulgaria at home three days later.
And Bale will be glad to get the chance to get back on the pitch for the Euro 2020 finalists following his Madrid woes.
FOUR PLAYERS PULL OUT
Giggs put his squad, including Bale and the returning Hal Robson-Kanu, through their paces in the first training session of the week on a sunny morning in the Welsh capital.
It was the first time the Manchester United legend has been on the grass with his players since qualification was secured for the Euros last November due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
And Giggs admits he has not been in touch with Bernabeu chief ZZ about the 31-year-old.
He said: “I haven’t spoken to Zidane.
Ryan Goggs says he has not spoken to Gareth Bale’s Real boss Zinedine ZidaneCredit: Alamy Live News
Playing for Wales is something of an escape for Real Madrid’s Gareth BaleCredit: AFP and licensors
“My French and Spanish isn’t too good. That’s my way out of that one.
“I know Zidane’s English isn’t very good from experience.”
Wales will need record goal scorer Bale firing despite his limited game time at club level after Giggs was dealt a hammer blow when four players pulled out of his squad late on Sunday night.
The Welsh FA revealed Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Bournemouth winger David Brooks and Tyler Roberts of Leeds all have injuries.
While experienced defender Ashley Williams, 36, who is without a club at present, also withdrew due to personal reasons.
That forced Giggs to call up Ben Woodburn and Brennan Johnson as a result.
Inside Bale’s millionaire lifestyle in Madrid, with a £6.5m home, £230,000 Ferrari and golf on his doorstep
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
