Gareth Bale insisted a tumultuous summer at Real Madrid has not been the worst moment of his career as he broke his silence to fire back at the critics.

Wales manager Ryan Giggs will consult star man Gareth Bale to see if he can play in Monday's friendly against Belarus, insisting he will not be 'stupid' regarding the forward's fitness.

Since completing his big-money move from Spurs in 2013, Bale has been routinely criticised for not fully immersing himself into Spanish culture, with many claiming the winger cannot speak the language.

UEFA has confirmed that Slovakia's next competitive home fixture, the Group E clash against Wales at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho in Trnava on October 10, must be played without spectators.

Ethan Ampadu's pre-season move to the Bundesliga was hailed as a smart move given that the teenager has had limited opportunities since joining Chelsea from Exeter in 2017.

Gareth Bale appeared to be heading for the exit in the summer - with a £1m a week contract with Jiangsu Suning on the table - after his relationship with Zinedine Zidane hit rock bottom.

EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION:David Cotterill is facing legal action from at least seven former team-mates after being accused of cheating them out of a combined total of almost £400,000.

TOM COLLOMOSSE: They have shared 15 trophies with Real Madrid, yet on Sunday Gareth Bale and Luka Modric will resume their hunt for the prize they crave just as much.

The news comes as a big blow to Ryan Giggs - who was hoping the 28-year-old would regain match fitness after not featuring in the national side for 11 months.

TOM COLLOMOSSE AT THE CARDIFF CITY STADIUM: Gareth Bale had Wales daring to dream of a Euro 2020 place, on a night when Daniel James suffered a sickening blow to the head.

France coach Didier Deschamps has shrugged off talk of revenge ahead of his side's potentially crucial Euro 2020 qualifier against Group H rivals Turkey.

Real Madrid's Modric, who lined up against Bale for Croatia on Sunday, has emphasised his team-mate's importance to the La Liga giants and is eager for him to remain at the club.

As we reach a pivotal stage in Euro 2020 qualification matches, several teams are on the cusp of confirming their spot spot in next year's tournament. Sportsmail brings you the action, live.

EXCLUSIVE BY MATT HUGHES AND HARRY SLAVIN: Former Wales winger David Cotterill is yet to apply for charitable status for the foundation that carries his name, Sportsmail can reveal.

The Welshman looked set to leave in the summer following interest from the Chinese Super League but while a move collapsed, reports in Spain say his team will make an effort to leave in January.

Gareth Bale faces a race against time to prove he is fully fit for Wales' decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers later this month. The Real Madrid forward has not played since Wales' 1-1 draw with Croatia.

A calf injury has ruled him out of Real's last four games in all competitions, and he won't feature at home to Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, according to Real manager Zidane.

Gareth Bale has been named in the Wales squad for the decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary despite a calf problem. He has not played since October 13.

Ryan Giggs has criticised brain injury charity Headway for questioning Wales' medical department following an apparent concussion incident involving winger Daniel James.

The 30-year-old has not featured for the La Liga giants since Wales' 1-1 draw with Croatia on October 13 due to a calf injury. But Bale was included in the Wales squad this week.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has revealed that the pair are not ready to feature for Real Madrid in their clash against Eibar on Saturday evening.

Gareth Bale trained with the Wales squad ahead of their decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Hungary. Real Madrid star Bale has not played since suffering a calf injury.

Wales defender Ben Davies confirmed Bale completed Tuesday's session in its entirety and he now seems certain to start against Azerbaijan in Baku on Saturday, despite missing the past month.

The UEFA-appointed female translator was removed following the bizarre question with concerns that she didn't possess the knowledge or experience, according to The Sun.

Gareth Bale heads into Wales' decisive Euro 2020 qualifiers admitting he is more excited to play for his country than Real Madrid. Bale has been at the centre of a Spanish media storm.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN BAKU: Wales comfortably beat Azerbaijan in their penultimate Euro 2020 qualification match to set up an almighty showdown against Hungary in Cardiff.

Gareth Bale believes Wales reaching the European Championship next summer could trump the achievement of playing at Euro 2016. Wales ended a 58-year wait in 2016.

TOM COLLOMOSSE IN CARDIFF: If Giggs guides his team to victory over Hungary in the winner-takes-all clash and secures a place at Euro 2020, it will be a significant achievement.

The winner in Cardiff on Tuesday will qualify for next summer's European Championship, while a draw will be enough for Hungary if Slovakia fail to beat rock bottom Azerbaijan at home.

After a career in top-level football spanning nearly three decades, Ryan Giggs will finally fulfil his dream of competing at a major tournament with Wales.

Gareth Bale poked fun at Aaron Ramsey's lack of game time in Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying campaign after his double against Hungary booked their spot at next year's tournament.

TOM COLLOMOSSE AT THE CARDIFF CITY STADIUM: After a career in top-level football spanning nearly three decades, Ryan Giggs enjoyed one of the best days of his life.

Gareth Bale risked further upsetting the Real Madrid hierarchy as he danced with a Welsh flag bearing the lyrics to the song 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order'.

The forward posed with a flag with the words 'Wales, golf, Madrid... in that order' on it after securing Euro 2020 qualification on Tuesday night after fans sang a song with those lyrics.

The Wales star helped his country qualify for next summer's European Championships during the international break, and was snapped with the contentious flag while celebrating.

PETE JENSON IN MADRID: Gareth Bale was back in training for Real Madrid on the day Marca's front page accused him of being: 'irresponsible, wrong, ungrateful. In that order.'

PETER CROUCH: It is too early to predict what will happen at Tottenham, but watching television on Thursday, something struck me about Jose Mourinho.

Bale posed with a flag with the words 'Wales, golf, Madrid... in that order' on it after Wales secured Euro 2020 qualification last week. His celebrations have led to controversy in Spain.

The draw for Euro 2020 takes place in Bucharest at 5pm on Saturday evening and is live on BBC2 for UK viewers. Sportsmail take you through all you need to know for the draw.

Gareth Bale has recently been criticised back in Madrid for showing more interest in golf than football and arranges rounds during time off when on duty with Wales.

On Wednesday night, Zinedine Zidane's side enjoyed a break from their arduous schedule by hitting the town and going out for a squad meal to celebrate Christmas.

The TV picks for next summer's tournament have been revealed, with ITV showing England's final two group matches, including the final game with the Czech Republic.

The Football Association of Wales could lose money at Euro 2020 after being drawn to play fixtures in Azerbaijan, its chief executive Jonathan Ford has warned.

MATT HUGHES - AHEAD OF THE GAME: Marcus Rashford is being courted by Roc Nation, the American entertainment agency founded by rapper Jay-Z.

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has attempted to recreate his iconic Champions League final goal in his living room to raise money for the NHS during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Bale has long been loathed by Madrid supporters and targeted as a scapegoat when the Spanish giants underperform, with Bale nearing the exit door this summer.

In Saturday's Daily Mail, chief sports writer Martin Samuel considered the growing conflict between top and bottom over restarting the season. Now he responds to reader comments.

Arsenal invincible Robert Pires ended up in the Midlands and Rio Ferdinand learned his craft on the south coast with Bournemouth. But who has been forgotten at each Premier League side?

The English top flight has been indefinitely put on hold because of the pandemic. West Ham went into the hiatus last month level on points with 18th-placed Bournemouth with nine fixtures remaining.

Jesse Lingard is making sure to stay fit despite the lockdown due to coronavirus, as he was spotted out for a run with his friend and former team-mate Ravel Morrison.