Zinedine Zidane has denied disrespecting Gareth Bale and says the Welshman did not play against Bayern Munich last weekend because he did not want to.

The Real Madrid boss told reporters that he would always back his players, after facing criticism over comments about Bale’s potential departure from the club.

“I haven’t shown a lack of respect towards anyone and particularly not towards a player,” he said.

“I’ve always said the same thing: the players are the most important ones in all of this. Whenever there’s a player involved, I’ll always back them.”

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 22, 2019

Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett had called Zidane a “disgrace” after the Frenchman revealed transfer talks were under way with an unnamed club.

Zidane said on Sunday that the Spanish side were “working on his (Bale’s) departure”, adding that he hoped a deal could be struck soon “for everyone’s sake”.

In response, Barnett said; “Zidane is a disgrace to speak like that about someone who has done so much for Real.

At a press conference on Monday ahead of Real Madrid’s International Champions Cup clash with Arsenal, Zidane said he wanted to be “very clear” about the situation.

“What I said the other day is that the club was working on his exit,” he said.

“Gareth didn’t come on (against Bayern Munich) because he didn’t want to,” he added.

“He said that the club was working on his exit and that’s why he didn’t come on.

“Gareth is a Real Madrid player, he’ll train as normal today and we’ll have to see what happens tomorrow.”

Despite being hit by a series of injuries, Bale has helped the Spanish powerhouses win four Champions League titles, the domestic league title and a host of other trophies that include;

  • Four Champions League titles
  • One LaLiga title
  • Three European Super Cups
  • One Copa del Rey title
  • Three Club World Cups