Gareth Bale: I don't understand why people have a problem with me playing golf

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale says he cannot understand the criticism he receives for playing golf.

The 30-year-old winger has been targeted by the media in Spain amid claims that too much golf is contributing to his injuries.

But he told the Erik Anders Lang podcast: "A lot of people have problems with me playing golf, I don't know what the reason is. I've spoken to doctors and everybody's fine with it.

"The media have this perception that it's not good for me. 'You should be resting, it can cause problems, injuries.' In America, I know (basketball player) Steph Curry plays maybe on the morning of a game.

"Here, if I play two days before a game it's like 'what's he doing?'"

On the podcast, he went on to discuss why he enjoys playing golf and how it helps him on the football field.

"I just like going out to play, thinking I've got 18 holes ahead of me," he said. "You can get away from the football, away from anything negative that's going on, and reset your mind, and the next day you feel a bit more fresh and ready to go and concentrate and feel better about football again."

Despite some spectacular moments during his Real Madrid career, in which he has contributed to four Champions League wins, Bale remains a divisive figure among many fans of Los Blancos and was whistled at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this season after he celebrated in front of a fans' flag which read 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order.' following his nation's qualification for Euro 2020.

"The thing with football now is everything is based around results. That's the problem," he said. "You might play amazingly, not score for five games and everyone says 'he's having a terrible time.'

"People just like goals, assists, 'wow' things. And sometimes that doesn't always happen. I've played terribly, then I've scored two goals, and everyone says 'great game'.

"People can have their own opinions, as long as I know I've tried my best and I've played as well as I can then I'm happy with that."