Gareth Bale Says He's Happy With "Golfer" Nickname At Real Madrid

Gareth Bale has addressed the nickname "golfer" given to him by Real Madrid teammates.

The Welsh winger plays so much golf that teammate Thibaut Courtois simply referred to him as 'The Golfer' in an interview earlier this year but Bale claims he is happy with the tag.

In a press conference ahead of Wales' European Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan on Friday, he said:

"I am a golfer. Have you not seen the pictures?" he said. "I spoke to him [Courtois] about it and he said it was a joke. People took it out of context, but I'm very happy with the nickname to be honest."

In an interview with Belgian outlet HLN, goalkeeper Courtois was asked for a take on his teammates.

The majority were given rave reviews but Bale "The Golfer" was a difficult one. "It is very hard to describe Gareth in one word." he said.

"I would say he has so much talent, but that it is such a shame that so often that talent is blocked from shining."

Image: PA

Bale's relationship with the sport was a big talking point when he was linked with a move away from Los Blancos in the transfer window.

He reportedly told teammates that he was prepared to "stay and play golf" if the club don't pay off the outstanding €51 million remaining on his Los Blancos contract.

Radioestadio, via SPORT, claimed he said the following to his teammates after the game against Real Betis in May this year.

"I've got three years left on my contract. If they want me to go, they'll need to pay me €17m per season. If not, I'll stay here. And if I have to play golf, I will."

Topics: Golf, Football News, Football, gareth bale, Wales, Real Madrid

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_