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Zinedine Zidane explains Gareth Bale omission from UEFA Champions League squad

Bale was a notable omission in the Real squad that face off against the Premier League giants at the Etihad this evening as suspended captain Sergio Ramos was included.

With Los Blancos aiming to overturn a 2-1 deficit from their first-leg clash for a place in the quarter-final of Europe's elite club competition, his absence, despite the recent issues at the club, raised plenty of eyebrows.

"I will explain because many things are said," Zidane said. "We have a relationship of respect between player and coach, that is clear. The only thing I can say is that he has decided not to play, and the rest is between him and me."

Despite Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett reiterating over the past few weeks that he will remain at the club, the latest decision appears to signal the end of his time at the 13-time European champions.

But Zidane remained mum on the latest drama as he grew agitated by questions posed around the club's highest-paid player in the pre-match press conference.

"I have already answered before about the situation. The rest is a conversation between the player and the coach, and I am not going to tell you anything," he added.

"Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid player, nothing changes. I respect that. He has decided not to play. All of us here are focused on tomorrow's game."

10. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) – €1.7 mill
10. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) – €1.7 million per month
9. David De Gea (Manchester United) – €1.8 million
9. David De Gea (Manchester United) – €1.8 million per month
8. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) – €1.9 mill
8. Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) – €1.9 million per month
7. Eden Hazard (Real Madrid) – €2.5 million per mo
7. Eden Hazard (Real Madrid) – €2.5 million per month
6. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) – €2.5 million per mo
6. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) – €2.5 million per month
5. Luis Suarez (FC Barcelona) – €3 million per mon
5. Luis Suarez (FC Barcelona) – €3 million per month
4. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) – €3 millio
4. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) – €3 million per month
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) – €4.5 million per
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) – €4.5 million per month
1. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) – €8.3 million per
1. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) – €8.3 million per month
3. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) – €3.1 million per
3. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) – €3.1 million per month

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