MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane defended Gareth Bale on Friday against criticism of his controversial celebration of Wales qualifying for Euro 2020 when he held his country's flag with a phrase that puts the Spanish team first.
Bell danced with the flag "Wales. Golf. Madrid in this order" after Wales clinched their second straight qualification for Euro 2020 on Tuesday.
The Welsh winger has been criticized since arriving in Spain in 2013 despite contributing to the team's four-time Champions League triumph during this period.
"There was a lot of fuss about what he did but we need to focus only on football," Zidane told a news conference on Friday. "The situation is overvalued. I just look at what he can do on the pitch and not what he hesitates outside. That doesn't matter to me."
"I am confident that he can regain his importance to us again. He is an important player when he is not injured. He has shown it before and he will show it again."
Second-placed Real Madrid host Real Sociedad on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Zidane appealed to fans to support Bell instead of criticizing him.
Bell has not played for Real since October 5 due to injury.
Real will be without Lucas Vázquez after breaking a toe due to heavy weight during his training at a gym on Thursday.