Bale tells Giggs he plans to stay at Real Madrid
Gareth Bale has reportedly told Wales coach Ryan Giggs that he intends to stay at Real Madrid next season despite having been cut out of the picture by Zinedine Zidane.
Gareth Bale has no playing future at Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane, a fact that was made clear from the Welshman’s absence from Real Madrid’s last seven games.
However, the situation has not prompted Bale, once the world’s most expensive player, to look for an exit from the Bernabéu. According to British paper, the Mirror, Bale has already told Wales coach Ryan Giggs that he is going to stay at Madrid next season, even if a lack of games impacts his match fitness going into next summer’s Euro 2021 tournament. As previously reported by AS, the 31-year-old intends to collect every penny of his wages during the final two years of his contract at Madrid.
The rocky relationship between Zidane and Bale has appeared to hit a new low since the season resumed following the suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic, during which the Cardiff-born player has made just two appearances from the bench. However the situation has not diminished the Welshman’s sense of humour and he has cut a relaxed and disinterested figure on the sidelines.
In the 2-0 win over Alavés, the cameras captured Bale wearing his face mask over his eyes while reclining in his seat in attempt to humour his fellow team mates. A few days later, he was pictured using wrist tape as pretend binoculars as he watched Madrid play Granada from the stands. The incidents infuriated many Madrid fans, who pointed to his apparent lack of professionalism and respect.
Welsh concerns over Bale’s lack of game time at Real Madrid
The Mirror report on Bale’s discussion with Giggs seemingly backs up this newspaper’s own report on Bale’s intentions to stay at Madrid. The Welsh winger has also reportedly informed his team mates of his decision, many of whom will be undoubtedly concerned about their captain and star man’s prospective lack of game time heading into next summer’s Euros.
It would not be the first time that a lack of match fitness has impacted his performance with Wales. The Dragons had a tough time qualifying for the Euros and Giggs himself acknowledged that Bale, who had been playing very little for Madrid, lacked his usual finesse. Although Wales did manage to secure qualification after victory in their final game against Hungary -- an encounter that will be mostly remembered for Bale’s infamous post-match celebration with the “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order” flag.