‘Crazy’ calendar increases the risk of player burnout, says Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale has warned “crazy” demands will have serious burnout consequences for players as he rubbished talk of him joining Spanish club Getafe.

Bale, a free agent after his nine-year stay at Real Madrid came to an end, again stressed that he would resolve his future following his summer break.

The Wales captain will come up against Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne when Belgium visit Cardiff for Saturday’s Nations League clash.

De Bruyne criticised the competition last week. He said that four matches in 10 days at the end of a long season was “asking for trouble”, and complained that he had not had a vacation “for eight or nine years”.

Bale said: “It’s crazy. We were speaking the other day at lunch and someone said De Bruyne could play 79 games next season and have a three-week break.

“It’s too much and things obviously need to change. Players will tell you there are way too many games.

“It is impossible to play at a high level for that amount of games.

“There will be consequences in the long term. People’s bodies can’t deal with that sort of calendar year after year.

“Something has to change and people at the top of the game have to do something.

“Unfortunately, money comes into it. It’s a business and they want to make more money.

“For player welfare, I think money needs to be overlooked and they need to look after the players. Without the players there is no product.”

On financial matters, Bale added: “We don’t play for our country for the money. We turn up and we just want to play in front of the fans, achieve success for our country and make our country proud.

“We are not a big nation and we can’t pay big. For me, I’m not even sure I take a match fee. I just try to take a box every game at the stadium – that’ll