Zinedine Zidane Reveals Why Gareth Bale Was Left on the Bench in Real Madrid's Final La Liga Game

Zinedine Zidane has revealed that Gareth Bale's day-to-day attitude resulted in the winger being left on the bench for Real Madrid's final La Liga game of the season.

Real Madrid finished their 2018/19 campaign in disappointing fashion, slipping to a 2-0 defeat against Real Betis. Bale - whose future in the Spanish capital is looking decidedly bleak - was not called on by Zidane and he left down the tunnel as soon as the final whistle was blown.

Speaking after the game, Zidane insisted that ​Bale's attitude in training meant that he didn't deserve the chance to feature.

"​It is true, I did not [give Bale a chance to say goodbye]," the ​Real Madrid boss said, per ​ESPN.

"But I have to look at the day-to-day, and make decisions. And when there is something I do not like, or does not fit for me, I must do what I think best. It might be difficult for the player.

"We cannot forget all he has done here, but I must live in the present, think of the future. We will see [if Bale continues]. I don't know what will happen, truthfully."

There has also been some confusion surrounding a specific quote from Zidane in the same press conference, where it has been reported that he claimed he still wouldn't have brought Bale on if he had a fourth substitute to play with.

Spanish football journalist ​Ben Hayward has insisted that the quote has been misinterpreted and that Zidane instead said: "If I had brought on another player, the same thing would have happened." - referring to the notion that questions would be asked regardless of who was left on the bench.

Bale's contract at Real Madrid lasts until 2022 and, although it seems unlikely he will ever get a chance to feature while Zidane remains in charge, it is still unclear whether he will be leaving the club this summer.