Gareth Bale was left out of Real Madrid’s squad for the Champions League last-16 decider against Manchester City as he asked not to play.
Bale was not named as part of Madrid’s 24-man travelling party for Friday’s second leg at the Etihad, throwing his future at the Santiago Bernabeu into further doubt.
Zinedine Zidane, the Madrid head coach, said that Bale had told him that he would prefer not take part and was subsequently left at home.
“People say a lot of things. We have respect between us. The only thing to say - and this is a personal conversation between us – is that he preferred not to play,” Zidane revealed.
“The rest remains between me and him. I have explained what the situation is and I don’t want to add anything else.
“He’s not injured. This is the third question and I have told you what happened. Nothing else. I really respect him and all the other players. Things that happen in the dressing room stay there.”
Zidane would not expand on Bale’s reasoning and said he is unsure whether the Wales international has a future in Madrid.
“I don’t know. He is a current player of Real Madrid. That does not change anything. He is our player. I respect that and respect him.
“He prefers not to play. That’s all I can say. We are all here ready and prepared for the game and that’s all we are concentrating on.”
Bale played no part in the last six games of Madrid’s title-winning La Liga campaign and was omitted from Zidane’s squad for their final game of the season against Leganes.
The 31-year-old was used sparingly by Zidane once La Liga restarted in June, and was criticised in the Spanish press for pretending to sleep while watching a 2-0 win over Alaves from the substitutes’ bench.
Despite falling out of favour, Bale has two years remaining on his contract at the Bernabeu and has shown little desire to leave in search of first-team football elsewhere.
