Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has been left out of their 24-man Champions League squad for Friday’s last-16 tie at Manchester City, casting doubts on his future at the club.
Bale, 31, last played for Real in June when they beat Mallorca 2-0 and did not feature in their final seven league matches, as they pipped Barcelona to the La Liga title, while he watched from the bench.
Bale, who has scored over 100 goals for the Spanish side since his record-breaking move in 2013, has endured his worst season at the club with only three goals in all competitions.
The Welshman has a contract until 2022 and was set to make a lucrative move to the Chinese Super League last year before the transfer was scuttled, when Real made a last-minute decision to insist on a transfer fee rather than terminate his contract.
Bale has since divided opinion among the club’s fanbase with some supporters frustrated by a perceived lack of commitment from the Welshman.
His poor injury record has not helped his cause, while his agent said he would not leave the club despite falling down the pecking order in Zidane’s team.
Midfielder James Rodriguez has not been called-up either by Zidane, while forward Mariano Diaz will miss the trip after he tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
Real Skipper, Sergio Ramos, is ineligible after he was sent off in the 2-1 loss in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the club confirmed the defender would still travel with the squad.(Reuters/NAN)
