Gareth Bale embraces 'golfer' nickname as Real Madrid forward insists torrid summer has made him stronger

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Jack Rosser @JackRosser_5 September 2019

Gareth Bale has laughed off his Real Madrid nickname of 'The Golfer' saying it is one he embraces, while revealing he feels stronger than ever after a summer of turmoil in Spain.

The Welsh winger looked set to leave Real Madrid during the transfer window, but a move to China collapsed late on.

As well as falling out of favour with manager Zinedine Zidane, Bale has also been hounded by the Madrid media for not speaking Spanish, as well as his love for golf.

The criticism was stepped up a notch last season when teammate Thibaut Courtois revealed his Madrid team-mates call Bale 'The Golfer' and that he would not attend a players' dinner because "he goes to bed at 11". But it is a nickname Bale is more than comfortable with.

"I am a golfer," he said. "Have you not seen the pictures?

"I spoke to him [Courtois] about it and he said it as a joke. People took it out of context, but I'm very happy with the nickname to be honest. It's a great one.

"Football is my number one sport. I'm paid to do it and I always give my best. Golf is a hobby, like anyone else would have a hobby.

"There is nothing wrong with having a round. People make a lot of it, but a lot of footballers play it and it's one thing I really enjoy. It keeps me calmer off the pitch and gives me time away from football, which is nice."

Despite Zidane's desperation to find Bale an exit "for everyone's sake", as well as fiery retorts from agent Jonathan Barnett who labelled the French manager a "disgrace", the 30-year-old remains at Madrid.

Due to injuries and exits, Bale has started all three of Madrid's games this season, scoring a brace before being sent off in a draw with Villarreal ahead of the international break.

"It didn't impact on me too much," Bale said of the saga.

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"I don't listen to them [the critics] because they don't really know what they are on about. I know most people don't know the situation, don't understand the situation.

"Coming back to pre-season, I just kept my head down and worked hard in training. I feel good, probably stronger than ever at the moment.

"The things that happened will stay private with the club. If you want answers, maybe you need to ask Real Madrid."

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