Gareth Bale Left The Real Madrid Dressing Room So Late That He Missed The Restart, Had To Walk Around Pitch

​Gareth Bale and club colleague Mariano Diaz left the Real Madrid dressing room so late that the match had already restarted. 

As a result, Bale and Mariano were forced to walk around the pitch to return to the bench during their league fixture at Celta Vigo.

According to AS, they avoided any wrath due to Carlo Ancelotti not being present on the touch due to testing positive for Covid-19.

Footage from the game shows Bale walking back to his seat less than one minute into the second half.

Image: La Liga via AS

​Mariano was also late to return to the dugout from the half-time break as he joined Bale in being late for the resumption of the match. 

It's not the first time Bale has been somewhat mischievous from the bench.

He was caught laughing at Eden Hazard after he was sent back to the bench after warming up for the whole second half. 

Unsurprisingly, Bale and Mariano were unused substitutes in Real's 2-1 win over Celta Vigo last weekend. 

Image: PA

A Karim Benzema brace saw the league leaders increase their lead at the top of La Liga. 

They're 12 points ahead of nearest rivals Barcelona, with Real having eight league matches left of the campaign. 

As for Bale, he's expected to leave Spain at the end of the season when his contract expires. 

He's set to call time on his legendary yet tumultuous eight-year spell at the club. ​

The 32-year-old has sensationally been linked with a move to Championship side Cardiff City in a bid to maintain match fitness ahead of the World Cup - should Wales qualify. 

However, if Wales fail to book their spot in Qatar, then retirement could be on the cards for the four-time Champions League winner.