WALES OF A TIME
Smiles better for Bale after Real nightmare
The country’s record scorer has had a smile back on his face this week after linking up with his international teammates in Cardiff.
Bale has notched 33 goals in 83 games for his country and is idolised by the Wales fans.
That is in stark contrast to his increasingly controversial spell at Real Madrid, where boss Zinedine Zidane has frozen him out.
Pals of Bale reckon the superstar is like “a new man” on international duty with his compatriots. Indeed, the difference in his mood has been compared by friends as “Jekyll and Hyde”.
The star was beaming as he trained with team- mates and unfurled his man bun before Wales flew out for tonight’s Nations League game in Finland.
Bale is due to captain the visitors in his first game since June 24, after making just 12 La Liga starts in Real’s latest title campaign.
He was even omitted altogether from Real’s Champions League squad for their exit at Manchester City.
The Spaniards’ ex- president Ramon Calderon has suggested a loan move away is the only compromise after claiming Bale is “wasting his time”.
Bale has since stood his ground in Spain, where his family are settled and he enjoys regular games of golf.
His agent has even insisted the star is willing to see out the remaining two years of his contract, even if he is not selected.
But Bale last night stressed he still loves the game and doesn’t want to be sat in the stands.
“I want to play football,” he said. “I am still motivated to play football.”
After tonight’s game in Helsinki, Ryan Giggs’ side host Bulgaria at home on Sunday.
Wales keeper Adam Davies expects Bale to add to his tally of goals after revealing his left- foot is as deadly as
ever having faced him in training. Stoke shot- stopper Davies said: “He hits the ball so hard and not only that, he puts all sorts of movement on the ball.
“I first thought, ‘ Oh, my God.’ couldn’t believe what was coming.
“But after a while you get a bit more used to it.”
WALES ( 4- 2- 3- 1): Hennessey; N Williams, Lockyer, Ampadu, Davies; Morrell, Vaulks; Bale, Wilson, James; Moore.