Gareth Bale now becomes Julen Lopetegui's problem at Real Madrid

Gareth Bale is enjoying a long summer break by playing golf in Miami, thousands of miles away from the World Cup in Russia. He threatened to leave Real Madrid if Zidane didn't assure him he'd be playing every week following the Champions League success in Kiev. This blackmail directed at then coach Zidane didn't go down well inside the club, as they've become tired of their stars complaining when they don't earn or play enough. Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco, Alvaro Morata, Mateo Kovacic and Danilo are just some examples of this growing trend.

Bale was perhaps waiting for Lopetegui to offer an olive branch, much like Rafa Benitez did when he took over. However that hasn't happened and the current Madrid coach has no intentions of flying out to the US to discuss Bale's future. In response Bale has told his agent to talk up the situation again, trying to get a reaction from the club. He did this once before with Carlo Ancelotti. He complained to Florentino after being substituted and the president demanded answers from Ancelotti. "From that moment on, my relationship with the president wasn't the same," added the Italian coach.

hot topic

Ancelotti was sacked at the end of that season and Bale felt satisfied. He later tried the same tactic with Zidane but the Frenchman put him in his place. He benched Bale for his lack of effort and failure to integrate before Bale later threatened the club just as Cristiano has in the past. Bale either plays or he creates an escape plan. His future appears to depend on Cristiano leaving but without Neymar coming in to replace the Portuguese star. "It isn't about money, he wants to win a Balon d'Or," is what his agent Jonathan Barnett told Sky Sports.

Another blackmail attempt which has upset those at Real Madrid. For Lopetegui, this is a hot topic which will prove whether or not he has the backing of the president. Ancelotti didn't have it, but Zidane did. The only consistent thing about Bale since he arrived at Real Madrid has been the rate at which he gets injured. He's better friends with the physios than his teammates but he sees himself as big enough to demand a starting place. Manchester United want him but Florentino has said the same as he did about Cristiano's possible exit: "If you want to go, bring me enough money so I can sign Neymar."