The Welshman has reportedly said he will run his contract down on the course if Zinedine Zidane doesn’t pick him
Gareth Bale could become one of the world’s highest paid golfers.
Well, not really, but if he does want to see out the remainder of his Real Madrid contract on the golf course – it would become a pretty lucrative hobby.
Speculation around his future has gone into overdrive after Zinedine Zidane left him on the bench for Madrid’s 2-0 defeat at home to Real Betis on Sunday.
GETTY
After the game, Zidane told reporters: “I’m sorry he didn’t get to play, but no one knows what will happen.
“If I think a player doesn’t fit in the team, I have to do what I think works best.
“No one can change what Bale has done for the team, but as a coach I have to live in the present.”
The Welshman refused to say goodbye to the Bernabeu crowd – and perhaps that’s because he’s refusing to go.
Bale, whose contract runs for another three years, is paid more than £13million a year.
It is understood Zidane has told Bale to leave Madrid this summer, but the 29-year-old has reportedly told team-mates he would happily sit on the sidelines and play golf until his contract expires in June 2022.
In fact, Thibaut Courtois has previously said the Madrid players refer to Bale as ‘The Golfer’ – because he goes to bed early and spends the majority of his time on the course.
GETTY
Bale earns more than the majority of professionals on the PGA Tour, but where would he rank among the highest earners?
Here’s where he slots in according to Forbes’ 2018 list of annual earnings.
Justin Thomas – £20.5million
GETTY
Salary/winnings: £16.5m
Endorsements: £4m
Gareth Bale – £27.2million
Getty
Salary/winnings: £22.5m
Endorsements: £4.7m
Rory McIlroy – £29.7million
GETTY
Salary/winnings: £2.9m
Endorsements: £26.8m
Jordan Spieth – £32.5million
GETTY
Salary/winnings: £8.8million
Endorsements: £23.7m
Phil Mickelson – £32.6million
GETTY
Salary/winnings: £3.4m
Endorsements: £29.2m
Tiger Woods – £34.2million
GETTY
Salary/winnings: £1m
£33.2m