Bale's career at Kiev crossroad

MADRID - Gareth Bale's relationship with Zinedine Zidane faces an acid test when Real Madrid plays Liverpool in the Champions League final in Kiev on Saturday night.

The pair has not seen eye-to-eye for some time, ever since Zidane jettisoned the Welshman for Real's last-16 first-leg game at home to Paris Saint-Germain in February.

With the Liga challenge all but over, Zidane's reputation hinged on a run in Europe and dropping Bale delivered a resounding message about a lack of trust when it mattered most.