The Spanish press have sounded a bizarre and hostile warning to Gareth Bale ahead of his international break with Wales.

It was reported on Sunday that Real Madrid are dreading the prospect of Bale heading away from the Spanish capital, fearing he might say or do something which could cause a public fiasco.

The root cause of the concerns are said to stem from that infamous 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order.' banner which Bale held aloft following Wales' triumph over Hungary to book their spot in the Euro 2020 last November.

The Spanish press did not miss an opportunity to stick the boot in after that. While those in this country took it at face value, a tongue-in-cheek jibe after a former Real Madrid player claimed Los Blancos was bottom of the Welshman's list of priorities, it stoked ire among some sections of the Spanish media.

And that, seemingly, has reared its head once again.

Columnist Jesus Gallego has penned an article in Spanish outlet AS telling Bale he would be wise to show Real Madrid respect in the upcoming international break.

Bale will be part of the Wales squad due to play two matches against Finland and Bulgaria, the first of which is in just 11 days time.

It comes after Zinedine Zidane has frozen the player out of the squad at the Bernabeu, selecting him to play only 100 minutes of La Liga football since the middle of February.

Zidane and Bale's seemingly crumbling relationship came to a head in Real's last fixture, for which the winger is reported to have told the manager he did not want to travel to Manchester for a Champions League clash because he knew he would not be played.

Gallego has branded Bale's decision not to travel to Manchester "shameful" and his flag-holding episode a "bad taste joke".

Now, in a strongly-worded message to the player, the columnist has warned Bale not to cause a stir while away with Wales and to "keep his mouth shut" if he is thinking of speaking ill of Los Blancos.

"Respect and decorum have been demanded of him in his behaviour and statements," he wrote of Bale. "It is bad that he gave up being an important player in Madrid, but if he continued to disrespect the club it would be outrageous.

"So keep your mouth shut and keep your form, no one can pay you what you take here."

Bale, who is said to take home £350,000 a week after tax, will doubtless be handed a number of media opportunities while on international duty with Wales ahead of their UEFA Nations League matches with Finland and Bulgaria.

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He is no shrinking violet when it comes to speaking his mind, though, so the chances of him heeding this warning from the Spanish press are slim.

His future will be a constant talking point over the coming weeks and his responses will certainly be something to keep an eye on.

Because, contrary to Spain, he will have no gagging order here.