Dimitar Berbatov says Gareth Bale "is too gifted to sit on the bench" and that "something is not right" with the Real Madrid outcast at the Bernabeu.
Bale hasn't seen a single minute of action since returning from lockdown, having been an unused substitute in eight of Madrid's final 10 La Liga fixtures.
The 31-year-old was also a surprise omission from Zidane's 22-man squad for last week's Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie against Manchester City, which the Blancos lost 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
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Ahead of that clash, the Frenchman explained that Bale had asked to be left out, but also insisted that he still enjoys "a relationship of respect" with the experienced winger.