BALE FEATURES BUT NO RONALDO IN REAL MADRID’S 2018-19 KIT LAUNCH

The Welshman has been heavily linked with an exit from the Santiago Bernabeu but has been pictured in the new strip for the 2018-19 season
Gareth Bale may be linked with a mega-money move to Manchester United, but the Wales forward has featured in Real Madrid’s latest kit launch.

Bale scored twice in the Champions League final at the weekend, the first a brilliant overhead kick, as Real ran out 3-1 winners over Liverpool in Ukraine.

However, his exceptional acrobatics did not dominate the headlines, as he gave an interview after the game insisting that he must be playing regularly, sending the transfer rumour mill into a frenzy.

United have been heavily linked with the 28-year-old, while former club Tottenham are said to have first refusal on any deal.

Nevertheless, the attacker features heavily in Madrid’s kit launch, along with Marcelo, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema and Nacho Fernandez.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from the launch may set tongues wagging, too, after the Portugal superstar hinted at a potential exit from the club in the immediate aftermath of Real’s win in Kiev.

He has, however, appeared to play down those reports as he said “until next year” when he addressed supporters a day after Madrid’s final triumph.

Real’s pristine white home kit remains, with some classy black piping, while they will wear black away from home.

The goalkeepers at Santiago Bernabeu will wear black at home, and light blue away from home.

Real have yet to announce the colour of their traditional third kit, which is usually worn in the Champions League.