Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has left Gareth Bale out of his squad to face Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday as Vinicius Junior returns after two months on the sidelines.
There is no place for the Welsh winger in the 19-man list, despite the absence of striker Karim Benzema through injury and it appears to be another indication that the former Tottenham player is not in Zidane’s plans for next season, although midfielders Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos have also been given the weekend off.
Bale has been whistled by fans at the Santiago Bernabeu in recent weeks and was virtually anonymous as Zidane’s side were beaten 1-0 by Rayo Vallecano last Sunday.
"Gareth must train and think about playing,” Zidane said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday.
“I cannot speak for him or other players, just say that they are players who know where they are, the responsibility we all have. Then I must pick the team and the bench.”
As Bale sits out, Vinicius returns after missing the last two months with an ankle injury and will make his first appearance since Zidane’s return as coach.
“Vinicius is training much better and he is ready to be in the squad,” Zidane said on Saturday. “He is better physically now. He is still 18. He is a very good and important player for the future of this season, for the seasons to come.”
The Brazilian was injured in Real Madrid’s 4-1 defeat and subsequent exit to Ajax in the Champions League at the beginning of March and has not played since, but hopes to feature for his national team in this summer’s Copa America.
Along with Benzema, skipper Sergio Ramos and right-back Alvaro Odriozola also miss out through injury.
