Zinedine Zidane has suggested Gareth Bale simply isn't part of his plan at Real Madrid.
Bale was left on the bench for the duration of Real's final-day defeat to Real Betis in La Liga at the Bernabeu.
The home side were booed off the field at full-time, Loren Moron and Jese having scored second half goals in a 2-0 win for the visitors.
Marco Asensio, Isco and Lucas Vasquez were all sent in off the bench in the second half, while Bale stayed seated. Tellingly, Zidane suggested afterwards that he wouldn't have called on the Welsh ace even if he had a fourth change given to him.
The 29-year-old has struggled to hold down a starting place in the Real side since Zidane returned in March and the manager has consistently refused to offer assurances over his future, though it now seems clearer than ever that Bale's future may be away from the Spanish capital.
Iif I had a fourth substitute today I would not have brought him on.
Zinedine Zidane
When asked about Bale leaving the Bernabeu after the defeat to Betis, Zidane said: "I don't know if it's the last game or not. I don't know what's going to happen.
"I'm sorry he didn't get to play, but no-one knows what will happen. If I think a player doesn't fit in the team I have to do what I think works best.
"No-one can change what Bale has done for the team, but as a coach I have to live in the present. I have counted on other players more in recent weeks, and if I had a fourth substitute today I would not have brought him on.
"I make these decisions when it is right to do so, and I must act in the best interests of the team at all times."
Bale has won four Champions Leagues, La Liga and the Copa del Rey during his six years at Real. His former side Spurs are 14/5 to win the Champions League final against Liverpool on 1st June. The Reds are 19/20 while the draw is 5/2.
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Zinedine Zidane has suggested Gareth Bale simply isn't part of his plan at Real Madrid.
Bale was left on the bench for the duration of Real's final-day defeat to Real Betis in La Liga at the Bernabeu.
The home side were booed off the field at full-time, Loren Moron and Jese having scored second half goals in a 2-0 win for the visitors.
Marco Asensio, Isco and Lucas Vasquez were all sent in off the bench in the second half, while Bale stayed seated. Tellingly, Zidane suggested afterwards that he wouldn't have called on the Welsh ace even if he had a fourth change given to him.
The 29-year-old has struggled to hold down a starting place in the Real side since Zidane returned in March and the manager has consistently refused to offer assurances over his future, though it now seems clearer than ever that Bale's future may be away from the Spanish capital.
Iif I had a fourth substitute today I would not have brought him on.
Zinedine Zidane
When asked about Bale leaving the Bernabeu after the defeat to Betis, Zidane said: "I don't know if it's the last game or not. I don't know what's going to happen.
"I'm sorry he didn't get to play, but no-one knows what will happen. If I think a player doesn't fit in the team I have to do what I think works best.
"No-one can change what Bale has done for the team, but as a coach I have to live in the present. I have counted on other players more in recent weeks, and if I had a fourth substitute today I would not have brought him on.
"I make these decisions when it is right to do so, and I must act in the best interests of the team at all times."
Bale has won four Champions Leagues, La Liga and the Copa del Rey during his six years at Real. His former side Spurs are 14/5 to win the Champions League final against Liverpool on 1st June. The Reds are 19/20 while the draw is 5/2.
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Source: bet365.com