Bale missing from the party

Gareth Bale did not turn up at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to watch his teammates' game against Espanyol or to celebrate the LaLiga Santander title with them.

The Welshman was left out of the squad after complaining of back problems on Friday and, as he did for the Clasico, he stayed at home.

There was no sign of the player in the stadium. An ugly gesture on a day of joy for the squad and the fans.

Bale had trained normally in the pre-match session and it wasn't until after the session that he said his back was hurting, an injury that the medical services couldn't detect.

The club are now dismissing it as a matter of indifference to a player who is determined to leave through the back door.

Bale's situation contrasts with that of Eden Hazard, who went to the stadium accompanied by his entire family.

Despite being a player who has played very little, he took his young children to the Bernabeu to enjoy the party. So did the suspended and injured players, such as Jovic, Nacho and Militao.

All were united except Bale, who remains on the fringes of the team dynamic.