Zinedine Zidane has angrily dismissed reports that he and Gareth Bale are at odds, insisting that both of them are only focused on winning LaLiga and not the ongoing row over the latter's recent antics.
Real Madrid will clinch the title for the first time in three years if they beat Villarreal on Thursday night, and ahead of the match Zidane was asked again about Bale, with whom he has long had a frosty relationship, after a series of bizarre incidents.
Bale, who has not played a single minute in the last five successive matches, was branded 'shameful' by the Spanish press for pretending to sleep while on the bench during the win over Alaves, and then earlier this week appeared to mock those keeping an eye on him by making a 'binoculars' gesture, again while benched against Granada.
Zidane has long seemed keen on shipping out Bale, 31, but the Welshman has dug his heels in with his agent continually insisting his client is going nowhere as he is happy with life in Madrid.
The irate Spanish media have again probed Zidane on the issue, leading to the French boss's irritable reply.
'The question about Gareth again! We are interested in the game, just like Gareth is,' Zidane told his pre-match press conference, report Marca.
'You (the press) are always trying to put things between us but you will not succeed.'
Zidane also insisted that he has no issues with James Rodriguez, another big name who has also seemingly been cast aside and appears destined to leave.
'You can keep asking the same thing but we are all united here: me, Bale, James, everyone – all of us want the same thing.'
Bale's incredible success with Real - he has scored three Champions League final goals and won the trophy four times since joining for a then world-record £86million in 2013 - has long been forgotten in Spain as he refuses to leave while earning big money.
Despite his £350,000-a-week contract, Bale is now behind Vinicius, Rodrygo Goes and Marcos Asensio in the pecking order of forwards at the club.
josiah6
0
father son love
SanketSarkar
1
For some unknown reason I feel Zizou might unleash them both in the champions league.
nasbdmopt
1
yes I have don't lie man...u ain't playing him and James as well u kill the and his future it's all on u Zidane...
weaacdnty
3
if y'all want James and bale to play,yall need to go play fifa 20
weaacdnty
1
lol yall want zidane to put all the players on the field huh zidane already said that some players will suffer becuz everyone wont be on the same level as others and it's not the time to gamble...yall supporters need to get out yall feelings...
wuluzoeyark
1
And internally told the board he has no plan of working with Bale anymore....
Andy_Mac
4
The press should learn to shut up about Bale and respect the team. They're on the verge of winning the La Liga title and all these reporters can do is ask about Bale everyday. It's the manager's wish to pick the team and right now it's justified to leave Bale out. His performances are mediocre on the pitch this season whenever he got his chances. Put some respect on Zidane's name. He has proven that he can win big trophies at Real Madrid even with the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
kibedi156
2
Even bale has no problem. he's looking at the media that is speculating things that are not true
Nanayawredemption
2
shRemember, Real Madrid is winning the league without Cristiano Ronaldo, with a Benzema who was good in patches, an out of form Bale & injured Hazard. This has to be one of the greatest achievements in Zinedine Zidane’s managerial career.
ferzoltan
2
Well's you don't get angry without a reason... There are two sides as always...and the truth lie($) between them...😉
Yumbiorty
0
Bale is not playing buh real Madrid is still winning games,Where is the problem??if he is not playing n real is losing games,that's when you can attack Zidane.....
True bro
AlexKingWeche
1
BFM:Bale's Future Matters
vucikntuy
0
i love zidane but he should respect gareth
saga27
0
I don't get why Madrid refused for bale to go to China only to bench him
to prevent him from gettingz corona
saga27
0
bale has even stopped pretending that he cares if he plays or not
600k a week , he must be happy
realEddy
1
the press just won't let up on the bale issue. the only thing that matters to bale is that he is happy he is still getting paid without playing.. hell..he would even be given a medal when Madrid lift the LA liga title without doing anything. let's just sweep everything concerning him aside for now that the season is almost over later we can talk about his future in full detail
DEDOSIK
3
he is in squad real
shahebaz
1
bale has even stopped pretending that he cares if he plays or not
OM24
0
I don't get why Madrid refused for bale to go to China only to bench him
Pihadmorst
1
Bale is not playing buh real Madrid is still winning games,Where is the problem??if he is not playing n real is losing games,that's when you can attack Zidane.....
Ronaldist_nabin
0
Zidane please allow him to play today.. Its his birthday today
❤Ràshnîc❤
0
Bale should be sold pls
praneetmessi
3
so just play him in the next match
FahimTwKhan
0
Madrid playing great football without Bale. And it’s only Zidane’s right that who will play or who will miss who the hell are you talking about this?? Bale and Zidane might have no problem between themselves, but media has. Stop Bale drama, without Bale Madrid will win the title that’s it.
real_ultras
0
Of course there is no problem. Go and watch Madrid's training session. You will see a different Bale having fun and joking around with team mates and Zizou. Bale is just trolling media because camera is always focused on him.
Vodacenors
1
Zidane >>> Bale. But he still respects bale and Bales attitude during the games show he doesn't respect his own coach. If Barca players do this against Setien itself I would get angry and so I can't imagine it for Zidane. As a coach there's a lot of self respect at stake when the guy in the bench does things like this.