Former Madrid explain the genesis between Zidane and Bale conflict

Zidane wanted to sell Bale in 2018 and keep Cristiano Ronaldo which led to the Frenchman leaving the club.

Speaking to talkSPORT, former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said: "I don't know why, but at the end of 2018 when Gareth Bale played well in the Champions League final [against Liverpool], Zinedine Zidane told the president to keep Cristiano Ronaldo and sell Bale.

"The president [Florentino Perez] did the opposite, and Zidane left, and from that moment there has been a disagreement between Zidane and the player. And in some way I think fans are angry and annoyed because they've seen Bale not interested in some matches, and now they have to find a solution."


Bale was left out of the Champions League squad to face Manchester City last month, with Zidane signalling that the Welshman's career at the Santiago Bernabeu is well and truly over.

Interestingly enough, the Frenchman has recently named the 31-year-old winger among the four players he is proud to have coached.