Sergio Ramos Defends 'Great Player' Gareth Bale After Real Madrid Exit Rumours

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has spoken out in support of Gareth Bale's quality, despite the Wales international being regularly linked with a move away from the club in the summer.

Bale's days at the Santiago Bernabeu appeared to be numbered ahead of the campaign when manager Zinedine Zidane said during pre-season that "we hope he leaves soon." A proposed transfer to Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning looked like the Welshman's route away from Madrid, although the deal collapsed.

Speaking about his team-mate, Ramos talked up Bale's importance for the upcoming season and dismissed any notion that the forward's interest in golf is an issue, per Amitai Winehouse of the MailOnline:

"I…