Gareth Bale has said that he plans on returning to Real Madrid for the final 12 months of his contract next season, once his loan deal with Tottenham Hotspur is over.
Bale re-joined Spurs on a temporary basis this season and while initially struggling with form and fitness, has been playing more regularly in recent weeks.
But the 31-year-old attacker, speaking ahead of Wales' World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and the Czech Republic – with a friendly against Mexico sandwiched in the middle – intends to head back to Spain.
"There's no distraction for me," Bale said when asked how his club future might affect his international form.
"I think the main reason I came to Spurs this year was to play football first and foremost ... but going into the Euros, I wanted to be match fit too.
“The original plan was only to do a season at Spurs and after the Euros I still have a year left at Real Madrid and my plan is to go back. That’s as far as I’ve planned to be honest.”
Bale, 31, has scored 10 goals in all competitions for Spurs this season as they sit sixth in the Premier League.
But a surprise elimination from the Europa League against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia last week sparked a sudden round of speculation about the future of manager Jose Mourinho.
The latest round of international matches came just at the right time for a player who has scored 33 goals in 87 appearances for his country.
"I always think when things aren't going too well at a club, it's nice to get away, especially mentally get away from the club environment. Definitely, it can be a benefit," said Bale, who was left on the bench by Mourinho for Spurs' win over Wolves on Sunday.
"We focus on these games for Wales, which are very important for us. We forget club life and concentrate on this.”
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
