• It was a tough opening night for Eden Hazard, left, in Real Madrid colours. Reuters
    It was a tough opening night for Eden Hazard, left, in Real Madrid colours. Reuters
  • Hazard looks to make a break. Reuters
    Hazard looks to make a break. Reuters
  • Bayern's Robert Lewandowski, back to camera on left, celebrates with defender Jerome Boateng after scoring. Reuters
    Bayern's Robert Lewandowski, back to camera on left, celebrates with defender Jerome Boateng after scoring. Reuters
  • Boateng was also on target for Bayern. AFP
    Boateng was also on target for Bayern. AFP
  • It was a good night to be a Bayern fan in Houston. Reuters
    It was a good night to be a Bayern fan in Houston. Reuters
  • Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich protests his red card. Reuters
    Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich protests his red card. Reuters
  • Real Madrid fans in Houston. Reuters
    Real Madrid fans in Houston. Reuters
  • The Real Madrid side before kick-off. Reuters
    The Real Madrid side before kick-off. Reuters
  • Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, centre, celebrates his consolation goal. Reuters
    Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, centre, celebrates his consolation goal. Reuters
  • Hazard looks to close down Joshua Kimmich. Reuters
    Hazard looks to close down Joshua Kimmich. Reuters
  • Hazard turns with the ball at his feet. Reuters
    Hazard turns with the ball at his feet. Reuters
  • Hazard looks to make a pass during the match in Houston. Reuters
    Hazard looks to make a pass during the match in Houston. Reuters
  • Real keeper Thibaut Courtois makes a save. Reuters
    Real keeper Thibaut Courtois makes a save. Reuters
  • It was a frustrating night for Zinedine Zidane. Reuters
    It was a frustrating night for Zinedine Zidane. Reuters

Zinedine Zidane a 'disgrace' over treatment of Gareth Bale, says agent


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Gareth Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has called Zinedine Zidane a "disgrace" after the Real Madrid manager revealed he was trying to get the Welsh forward out of the club as quickly as possible.

Zidane left Bale out of the Real squad for Saturday's 3-1 exhibition loss to Bayern Munich in Houston, and after the match he revealed he had been dropped because the club were "working on his departure", adding that he hoped it happens soon, "for everyone's sake".

"Zidane is a disgrace, he shows no respect for a player that has done so much for Real Madrid," Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett told AFP.

Asked whether Bale is close to leaving Madrid, Barnett added: "We are working on it".

Bale has been frozen out in Madrid by Zidane despite helping his side to a Spanish title and four Champions Leagues since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur six years ago.

His double, including a brilliant bicycle kick, sank Liverpool in the 2018 final, but he was shunted aside by Zidane as soon as he returned to the Real bench in early March.

After Zidane's reappointment, Bale played 90 minutes in just three of the remaining 11 matches, was left out completely four times and frequently substituted when he did play.

He was denied a chance to say goodbye at the end of last season when he was left on the bench in a 2-0 loss to Real Betis that saw Zidane's side submerged with boos and whistles.

However Zidane insists that his treatment of the 30-year-old forward "is nothing personal", even though Bale would be welcome at some of Europe's biggest clubs.

"There comes a time when things are done because they need to be done," Zidane added after the Bayern defeat.

"I've not got anything against him. We have to make decisions and change things, that's all there is to it.

"I don't know if this will happen in 24 or 48 hours' time. The situation will change and it's for the best for everyone."

Bale joined Real Madrid to much fanfare, a blockbuster transfer fee and a big salary that may prove to be an obstacle for all but the richest teams.

He has three seasons left on his deal and has been linked to Tottenham, Manchester United and Bayern.