If you are a journalist attending one of Zinedine Zidane’s press conferences, there is one rule: do not ask him about the Gareth Bale situation!
If you are stuck wondering what is going on with Gareth Bale at Real Madrid, you won’t be getting any answers from the manager. Zidane has made it abundantly clear to reporters and fans that Bale is a part of the team and as such, he is there to help win games and better the team.
His lack of involvement since the La Liga restart in June is worrisome for the player and his agent as the rumors suggesting his time in the Spanish capital is coming to an end are looking very, very real.
Ahead of the decisive match against Villarreal on Thursday night, a reporter made the mistake of asking Zizou about what is going on with Gareth and, well, his response was to be expected.
"“Oh my, what a question. What can I reply? Nothing,” he said emphatically. “We’re thinking about tomorrow’s game and Gareth is thinking about the same thing, about tomorrow’s game. He is one of us.”“You’re trying to stir things up between us, but you won’t be able to. You always ask the same thing.You’re allowed to and that’s your right to ask what you want, but you won’t be able to [stir things up].”"
Zidane was right to brush off the question once again. What more is there to be said? Gareth has not been good enough to start over the likes of Marco Asensio or Rodrygo Goes and frankly, he hasn’t been good enough to come off the bench as a sub either.
Adding in the constant antics on the bench confirms that sinking suspicion from everyone who knows European football that the Welsh forward’s time in Spain has come to an unceremonious ending.
Those who argue Real Madrid’s treatment of the player is unethical or wrong have not watched this team play nearly enough. Bale doesn’t seem to have the desire to play for Los Blancos anymore and Zidane doesn’t see a place for him in the team.
As Carlos Santillana pointed out this week on Radio MARCA, “I understand Bale, but in a team like Real Madrid you have to be humble, work hard and earn your place. If you don’t have a love for football or your team, then it’s obvious the coach will ignore you. When you lower your intensity then another player will take you position.”
Since the restart, Gareth has played 100 minutes in two out of the ten matches. His wages and behavior on and off the field simply do not justify him keeping a first-team spot. There are plenty of teams across Europe’s top leagues who would love to have him and use him.
It would be a real shame for him to end his career at Real Madrid riding the bench.