Madrid players joked with Bale by taking a golf club with them to Saudi Arabia

The atmosphere amongst the Real Madrid squad and around Gareth Bale in particular has improved in recent weeks.

The Welshman has received more support and affection from his club teammates since celebrating with that 'Wales, Golf, Madrid' flag in November.

Now, in Jeddah, despite Bale's absence, there were still jokes being played as a golf club arrived among the team's luggage.

Bale isn't in Saudi Arabia with Real Madrid due to illness, but his teammates had brought a golf club with them to Jeddah as a joke.

This comes after Bale was given another golf club by his teammates for Christmas, while Ferland Mendy was given a brick, Marco Asensio a Zimmer frame, Brahim Diaz some toys and Vinicius Junior a cuddly toy.