Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett has reacted angrily to Spanish media stories that he is about to be sacked by the Real Madrid star.
Barnett has become a well-known figure in Spain due to his regular comments regarding Bale and especially the relationship between the Wales international and fellow galactico Cristiano Ronaldo.
A recent interview where the agent said -- in an apparent reference to Ronaldo -- that his client was not interested in being an "underwear model" was much reproduced and criticised in the Madrid-supporting media, with Barnett's past issues being recalled amid general criticism of his public persona.
According to Radio Marca, Bale apologised to Ronaldo for the "underwear" comments on his return to Madrid following the recent international break on Thursday, and was even looking into ending his long relationship with Barnett's agency.
Te recordamos que acabamos de INFORMAR en @radiomarca que Bale le ha pedido perdón a Cristiano; y está tratando de romper con su agente.
- Radio Marca (@radiomarca) October 15, 2015
A story by an AS reporter close to Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes says that the Portuguese was not bothered by the comments and understands that his teammate cannot be held responsible for what his agent says, while Madrid coach Rafa Benitez insists there is "no problem" between the pair.
Amid this atmosphere, Barnett was called by radio show Al Primer Toque on Thursday night, and a short clip of audio was broadcast in which the Englishman appears to say the Marca story -- which does not currently appear online -- was "stupid," "disgusting" and "uninformed."
"I do not comment on stupid and uninformed journalism," Barnett said. "It is a disgusting and stupid article, done by a very, very bad journalist. It is a made-up story by a very, very bad journalist."
Bale's relationship with his teammates and supporters at Madrid has long been an issue of debate, with the Welshman not appearing to have ever become fully integrated in the dressing room.
Fans at the Bernabeu have often criticised the €100 million summer 2013 signing from Tottenham -- with his car kicked and punched following a defeat to Barcelona in March -- and regular media stories pointing out Ronaldo's anguished reactions whenever he does not receive a pass from Bale.
An interview done earlier this week with walesonline.co.uk -- in which Bale said he had not shared his phone number with many Madrid teammates -- has been picked up by AS as potential evidence of a cool relationship with his colleagues.
"Not many have got my number to be honest! I try to keep as low a profile as possible," Bale said. "Obviously I had a message from Rafa Benitez and people at Madrid," Bale says. I haven't checked a lot because it's been a bit manic but it's a great moment for Welsh football and everybody needs to enjoy it."
Asked if he was expecting to be congratulated back in Madrid, Bale said he was looking forward to getting tips on the tournament experience from his teammates.
"I should hope so," he said. "They were telling me we were almost there last time and welcoming us to a major tournament, but obviously it will be nice to go back and tell the lads, 'We're there, see you in France.' Getting used to a tournament mentality will be a very different experience, and I'm sure some of the lads will have some good advice, but we'll embrace it."
Bale did not react over-enthusiastically when asked about a possible friendly for Wales against Portugal and Ronaldo in November.
"It would be great to host such a good nation as Portugal, they have great players as well," he added. "But whoever we get, it will be hopefully a big team and one that we can test ourselves against. That will be the best way to prepare ourselves for the Euros."