Zidane hopes Bale trained after Real Madrid outcast spotted playing golf

Gareth Bale was declared unfit to travel to the Audi Cup with Real Madrid, but he was spotted playing golf while his side faced Tottenham.

Published : Aug 01, 2019 09:41 IST

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning collapsed at the weekend.
Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning collapsed at the weekend.
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Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning collapsed at the weekend.

Zinedine Zidane said he hoped Gareth Bale trained after the unsettled forward was spotting playing golf during Real Madrid's Audi Cup trip.

Reports in Spain claimed Bale was seen golfing while Real Madrid was losing to the winger's former club Tottenham on Tuesday, with the Wales forward not included in their tour squad due to illness.

Bale was expected to complete a move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning, but the deal collapsed at the weekend.

READ| Real Madrid 5-3 Fenerbahce: Benzema hat-trick glosses over defensive errors

Madrid bounced back from its 1-0 loss to Spurs by beating Fenerbahce 5-3 on Wednesday, but Bale remained the main topic on the agenda after the game.

"I don't know what he [Bale] did. I am here with my players," Zidane told reporters when asked about Bale's apparent golf trip. "I cannot comment on that. I hope he has trained there [in Madrid]. We are here thinking of the team.

"We will see when we get back. I'm not going to stop anybody doing anything, we all have our responsibilities. I don't get into his personal life. He stayed there to train, and I think he did that."

Pressed again on Bale, Zidane added: "Another question? You can't put me in a position I don't want to be. I won't answer more than this."

The CSL's transfer window has now closed, denying Bale a possible exit route from Madrid after six years at the club.

"Until August 31, anything can happen," Zidane added, referring to LaLiga's deadline for new arrivals.

READ| Zidane claims doctor stopped Bale from travelling with Madrid

"I am sure you are tired of my answers, as I am tired of them at this stage."

Although Madrid beat Fener 5-3 with Karim Benzema scoring a hat-trick, Zidane's side has now conceded 16 goals in its five pre-season fixtures.

"We are going to fix this, work hard," Zidane said. "I know we will turn this around and have a very good season.

"Nobody likes to concede three goals, but we won scoring five goals. It could have been more. That's it."

Madrid is due to play further friendlies against Salzburg and Roma before opening its La Liga campaign at Celta Vigo on August 17.

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