Real Madrid officials have labelled Gareth Bale's Euro 2020 qualification celebrations as 'a joke in very bad taste' after the Welshman held aloft a flag which ranked the Spanish club as less important than Wales and golf.
Bale overcame recent injury issues to help his nation secure a 2-0 victory over Hungary on Tuesday evening, and he and his teammates were pictured with a banner that read 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order,' referring to comments made regarding the 30-year-old's priorities.
Gareth Bale posing with a Welsh flag with "WALES. GOLF. MADRID. IN THAT ORDER" written on it.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) November 19, 2019
Ex Real star Predrag Mijatovic recently said: 'The first thing he thinks about is Wales, then golf and after that, Real Madrid. I haven't spoken to him but that's how he comes across.' pic.twitter.com/WLEWskgVRy
Former Madrid star
Sources suggest that some of Bale's teammates found the banner amusing, but they are worried about the fans' reaction upon his return from international duty.
There has been a lot of friction between Madrid supporters and the Welshman in recent years, and Tuesday's actions will only put more strain on their already fractured relationship.

Bale has not featured for his club since October, but he managed to put in key performances in both international fixtures for his country during the break.
Los Blancos' coach Zinedine Zidane was very open in his desire to sell the ex-Southampton man over the summer, but a move never materialised and Bale worked his way back into los Merengues' side.
Bale recently admitted that he prefers playing for his country rather than the Spanish giants, and his passion shone through on Tuesday evening, as the forward assisted the opening goal to take Wales to Euro 2020.
I couldn't NOT speak to @BuzzBoncath and @mrflag about the 'Wales. Golf. Madrid.' flag, could I?
— Chris Deeley (@ThatChris1209) November 20, 2019
Owner and maker, together in perfect harmony. And a little message to Zizou...https://t.co/oXtHCGlJTr
The Dragons went into their crunch match with Hungary knowing that they had to win to qualify for the summer tournament, and a brace from ex-Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey carried Ryan Giggs' men to a deserved victory.