This archive report was first published on 5 September 2019.
Welsh footballer Gareth Bale has spoken candidly about his uncertain future at Real Madrid, admitting he is 'not playing happily' at the start of the 2019/20 season.
According to Bale, the 30-year-old's proposed summer move to Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning collapsed due to a reported falling out with Zinedine Zidane.
Despite being contracted until 2022 at the Bernabeu, Bale remains unsettled at the Spanish club, stating: 'I understand I was made more of a scapegoat than most, I take it with a pinch of salt even though maybe it’s not all fully fair.'
However, Bale has attempted to put the past behind him, scoring two goals in three La Liga matches at the start of the 2019/20 term.
Speaking ahead of Wales' European Qualifier against Azerbaijan, Bale said: 'Coming back to pre-season I just kept my head down and I know there was a lot of talk, with people saying the good, bad, or whatever they wanted.'
With Wales set to face Azerbaijan on September 6, 2019, Bale is determined to lead his team to Euro 2020, despite their current second-from-bottom position in qualifying Group E.
Published on September 5, 2019, at 21:30:09 UTC.
