Gareth Bale's 'relationship with Zinedine Zidane is at a new low at Real Madrid

Gareth Bale's relationship with Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid has reached a new low, according to reports.

ESPN claim the Welshman is said to be upset at frequently being named as a substitute in key matches.

Since the LaLiga restart, Bale had a late cameo against Eibar but was an unused sub against Valencia and Real Sociedad.

He then failed to impress in a rare start against relegation-threatened Mallorca on Wednesday night.

Zidane recently insisted his relationship with Bale is 'normal', despite reports in Span claiming they have fallen out once again.

Spanish newspaper Marca published a dramatic front page on Tuesday suggesting Bale's relationship with Zidane was unsalvageable after the Welshman was left out of the team against Eibar.

Brazilian youngster Rodrygo Goes was picked in his place on Sunday, despite speculation in the week that Bale would be given the chance to impress in Real's first match back since the coronavirus pandemic halted the season.

But Zidane said their relationship is 'very normal' still.

The Frenchman said: 'It is as it always is – it is very normal.

'He is happy to play again. He has had some discomfort in his back, maybe it is not 100 per cent.

'We are training well and thinking about tomorrow's game. We are all focused on that.'

Zidane has not hidden the fact that he no longer wants Bale at the club and even requested the sale of the former Tottenham star and James Rodriguez when he came back last summer.

A move to China fell through during last summer's transfer window and Bale has been used sparingly by Zidane.

Bale missed training on Monday with muscular pain after playing just 30 minutes in the 3-1 win over Eibar.

As Sportsmail reported earlier this week, Zidane remains committed to selling Bale in the summer, signing Kylian Mbappe in 2021 and developing Rodrygo and Vinicius.

Bale has two years left on his contract though and has made it clear he has no intention of leaving the club.

He made his 250th appearance for them on Sunday in the first LaLiga game back, replacing Eden Hazard an hour into the contest at Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.