On Wednesday, December 20, Gareth Bale – fitness and ­Zinedine Zidane’s judgement ­permitting – will walk out to face Barcelona at the Bernabeu in the most prestigious club fixture in world football.

He will probably then go home – as in Welsh home – for Christmas.

He might even have the odd drink with his mates, the odd round of golf, weather allowing.

He will certainly enjoy the ­seasonal celebrations with his ­partner Emma and young daughters Alba Violet and Nava Valentina.

He will see in 2018 with his ­extended family and friends and go back to work in early January.

Bale in action during pre-season (
Image:
Getty Images North America)
Would the Welshman really want to leave Real? (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

On the other hand, he could spend his Christmas and New Year playing away at Leicester, at home to ­Burnley and Southampton and away at Everton ... in the space of 10 days.

None of them Clasicos, by the way. Far from it. Just one of many reasons why Bale, unless he is forced out, will not even contemplate a return to the Premier League – even if it would be to Manchester United , whose festive fixture list has just been mentioned.

If Zidane, prompted by the ­Bernabeu board, tells Bale he has become surplus to requirements, that would change.

But it would have to be definitive. Bale would have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, from Madrid.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane (
Image:
Getty)

Why wouldn’t he be?

The winter break is not the clincher, of course – but it is ­important.

Bale has had injury ­issues, even in the ­physically less demanding ­environment of La Liga.

Incidentally, that is not me saying it is physically less demanding – that is Bale. He has admitted there are times when Real and Barca players can essentially coast through later periods of matches.

Whatever your take on the quality of the Premier League, the same ­cannot be said here.

Bale limps off back in April (
Image:
REUTERS)
Gareth Bale grimaces as he lies on the pitch (
Image:
Getty)

Combined with that lack of a mid-season hiatus, Bale knows the strain on his body would be greater in England.

That is one of the slightly less obvious reasons why Bale would baulk at the idea of a second spell in the Premier League.

The others are ­glaring. Despite United’s worldwide grandeur and ­commercial success, it is a step down from Real Madrid.

Bale is obsessed with winning. He has one La Liga and three ­Champions League winners’ medals.

He has more chance of success in Europe’s premier competition with Real than he would with United.

Bale was a huge hit at Tottenham (
Image:
Getty)
...but United would be a step down at this stage (
Image:
Rex Features)

He plays alongside more world-class players than United have. It is all clunkingly obvious.

Again, unsurprisingly, Bale – whose contract in Madrid extends until 2022, when he will be nearing 33 – also enjoys the climate.

But the most pertinent aspect of his life in Spain is that, as much as he denies it, you suspect he wants to prove himself a great at one of the greatest clubs in history.

He relishes a challenge and, even if Real do sign Kylian Mbappe, it is in Bale’s nature to stay and fight for his place.

It would be great to see a player of his brilliance back in the Premier League, but, if he has any sort of choice, the only time Bale will be back home soon is for Christmas.

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