This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has dismissed speculation surrounding Gareth Bale's personal life, stating that as long as the Welsh forward is training, it is not his concern.
On Tuesday, Bale missed the trip to Munich for the Audi Cup pre-season tournament due to fitness issues, but Zidane emphasized that the player had chosen to stay in Madrid to continue his training.
Media reports in Spain had suggested that Bale had been spotted on the golf course while his teammates were competing in the tournament, but Zidane refused to comment on the matter.
"I am here with my players, so I can't really say much," Zidane told reporters after Real Madrid beat Fenerbahce 5-3 to finish third in the tournament on Wednesday.
"I'm not going to stop anyone from doing something, you know? Everyone has their own responsibilities and we will see what he's been up to in Madrid," he added.
Real Madrid's 13-time European champions have been dominated by the Bale saga during the closed season, with multiple media outlets suggesting he was on his way to China to join Jiangsu Suning only to then report that the move had been blocked by club president Florentino Perez.
Despite the controversy surrounding Bale's absence, Zidane remained focused on the team's performance, conceding that there was a problem with the number of goals they conceded.
"Yes, we're going to resolve that, we're going to work hard and I am one with my players," he said.
