And the fourth time was the charm. The new Real Madrid started early in the morning of this Monday, with the medical checks for the first players returning from their vacations, after a month and a half of disconnection, with the Welshman Gareth Bale being the center of attention in his return with his future uncertain.
But the Welshman is not only making news in Spain for his possible departure from the Bernabeu, but also for a 'team' change. Finally, and after some failed attempts, Bale joined the married club: he secretly got married in Mallorca with the love of his life, the Welshwoman Emma Rhys-Jones.
The Welshman and his girlfriend had been postponing the wedding for different reasons. The last failed attempt was due to the football player's bad relationship with his now wife's father.
The first time they had to cancel the wedding was in mid-2017, when the bride's family was targeted by a criminal gang. While the second time was due to the death of Katie, Emma's younger sister, at just 29 years old.
Bale and Rhys-Jones have known each other since they were young and are the parents of Alba Violet, five years old; Nava Valentina, two years old; and Axel Charles, born in May of last year.
Gareth Bale and his now wife Emma Rhys-Jones (Getty)
Uncertain future
The Real Madrid 2019/2020 started its journey with a first day of preseason dedicated to the medical check-ups of a part of the squad that was called back to work early in the morning. The checks will be done in batches throughout the day.
The players arrived gradually, with Bale's appearance being the highlight of the morning for the first group called.
The Welshman showed up knowing that he is not in the plans of French coach Zinedine Zidane, but fulfilling his desire to stay at Real Madrid and not listen to any proposals, as his agent Jonathan Barnett has made clear in his statements during the month of June.
Gareth Bale was one of the Madrid players who underwent medical checks at the start of preseason. The group return to training will be gradual, as they will not train on Monday, Tuesday will be dedicated to the long trip to Canada, and it won't be until Wednesday when the physical work sessions begin. EFE
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