Zidane stuns Gareth Bell and congratulates Algeria

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has announced that the days of Gareth Bell are numbered and that the club has decided to dispense with him. On the other hand, the French coach of Algerian origin congratulated the Greens team for the championship of the African Nations Cup.

The 30-year-old has won four Champions League titles since he joined Real Madrid from Tottenham in a record 100 million euros ($ 112 million) deal but struggled to keep his place in the starting line-up last season.

With the prospect of increased competition next season after Belgium's Eden Hazard joined the club, Bell was ruled out of the 1-3-0 loss to Bayern Munich in a pre-season friendly in Houston on Saturday.

"Bill did not join the squad because the club is working on his departure," Zidane told a news conference in the United States. "That's why he did not participate."

"We will wait to see if it will be decided tomorrow, if it is over, it is better, we hope - for the benefit of all - to happen soon."

Zidane's comments prompted a strong response from Bill Barnett, Bill's agent, who said it was "outrageous."

"It's outrageous that Zidane is talking about someone who has done a lot for Real Madrid," said Barnett, "If Bill leaves, it will be because his interest is to leave and it is not about Zidane."

Spanish media criticized Bill last season after failing to fill the gap left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Juventus. Real Madrid finished third in the league last season, 19 points behind Barcelona.

But Zidane said there was nothing personal about his decision to consider Bill too redundant.

Because of Bill's huge salary, which British press reports say is £ 600,000 (about $ 750,000) a week, only a few clubs can finalize it.

Last month, Barnett ruled out the chances of Bill's departure on loan, saying he was happy to stay in Madrid, amid reports linking him to Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur.

Congratulations Algeria
On the other hand, Zidane congratulated the African Cup of Nations for the second time in his history, through a picture on his official account in Stuttgart.

"My older brother Farid, you have to be proud, congratulations to the Algerian team, to win the whole people, one, two, three, long live Algeria," Zidane recalled his brother, who died last week in a comment on the picture.