Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane, has confirmed that Gareth Bale will stay the Spanish club this season, but must now prove he is a “great player.”
Bale was expected to leave for China in the summer with Zidane saying it would be a “good thing for everyone,” but was Real blocked the move.
The Welsh forward made a surprise starter in Real’s opening La Liga win against Celta Vigo last Saturday.
“What has changed is that the player is going to stay,” said Zidane.
The Frenchman is without new signing Eden Hazard after the Belgium forward sustained a thigh injury in training last week, while winger Marco Asensio is a long-term absentee.
READ ALSO: BBNaija: Semi-naked Tacha sends Birthday Shoutout to bf (Videos)
Zidane said he was impressed with Bale’s overall performance in the 3-1 win over Celta Vigo and commented that his “level defensively was very high”.
“The important thing is the player wants to stay,” he added. “It’s true that a lot was said about him, by me as well, but he is going to stay.
“He is a great player, he has shown that before and he has to show it again. He has to be the player we know that he is.”
Bale joined the Spanish club for £85m from Tottenham in 2013 on a three year deal.
He has won four Champions Leagues, one La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, three Uefa Super Cups and three Club World Cups.