This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
Published on July 23, 2019, Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane clarified his stance on Gareth Bale's departure from the club.
Speaking ahead of their pre-season clash with Arsenal in Washington D.C., Zidane emphasized that he had not disrespected Bale, contrary to claims made by the Welsh forward's agent.
"At times my Spanish is very suspect," Zidane told reporters. "I want to be very clear about this. Firstly, I have not disrespected anybody and least of all the player. I have always said the same, the players are the most important and every time I am with a player here I will be with them always."
He further stated that the club was working on Bale's departure, and that the forward had chosen not to play in their 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the International Champions Cup on Saturday.
"Gareth is a Real Madrid player. That is the most important thing, he is a player for the squad," Zidane said.
Bale, 30, has won four Champions League titles since joining Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 for a then world record 100 million euros (£89.77 million).
