The agent of Gareth Bale has claimed he is ‘not ecstatic’ at Real Madrid but there is ‘no guarantee’ he will leave this January.
Madrid fans vociferously booed and jeered the forward upon his return to club football – in the recent win over Real Sociedad, although subsequent reactions have been more subdued.
The forward celebrated qualifying for the European Championships next summer with a flag stating “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order”
The Welshman has been widely criticised in parts of Spanish media for his golfing habit – and the player himself has admitted the sport is his one true habit.
Indeed, such is Bale’s links to the sport that he has been nicknamed ‘The Golfer’ by his Madrid teammates – another stick the Spanish media has used to him.
However, the 30-year-old has won four Champions League titles at Madrid since his 2013 switch from Tottenham but was close to joining Chinese club Jiangsu Suning this summer.
“He has never asked to leave,” agent Jonathan Barnett told the BBC’s Euro League Podcast.
“He has a contract with Real Madrid and as long as they want him, there's not much anyone can do about it.
“Is Gareth happy at the club? He's not ecstatic.
“He has got a contract and as long as he is a Real Madrid player he will play at 100% – and do very well. He wants to win the championship and the European championship and everything else. It will not affect his performance.
“The facts and figures prove if he is on the field for Real Madrid they have a better chance of winning.
“No-one has ever accused him of not giving 100% and a 100% Gareth Bale is one of the best players in the world. The coach should be happy and honoured he is on the pitch for him.
“There's no guarantee he is leaving. If the right opportunity came along for him and it's something he wants to do we have to have a chat with the president of Real Madrid and see where we are.”
Bale has a fractious relationship with Madrid including with the fans and boss Zinedine Zidane.
