‘The Golfer’ is below par compared to Ronaldo
NoBody can argue Gareth Bale has not made a success of his time with Real Madrid. He has four Champions League winner’s medals, equalling Phil Neal’s record for a British player, he has won the Club World Cup and UEFA’s Super Cup three times each, he has won La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
It remains a qualified success, though. We know who the defining force was in those years for Madrid and Bale lived in his enormously sculpted shadow.
Throughout, Bale’s champions insisted he could be the Bernabeu’s main man if only Cristiano Ronaldo would let him breathe. And then, last summer, Ronaldo left. And now, this summer, Madrid would like Bale to leave, too.
The club won’t say that but it is being reported by Marca, and nothing gets in those pages without the club’s sanction.
What is plain is that Bale’s ascension has not gone as planned. He has been troubled by injury again — Bale is referred to, cruelly, as Mr Glass after missing close to 90 games in his six seasons there — and is fighting to regain his place from Vinicius Junior, an 18-year-old Brazilian, who did not make his debut until this season.
In addition, his 12 goals in 30 games is considered a poor return, compared to that of Ronaldo, who already has 21 in the shirt of Juventus. Bale’s wonder goal following his arrival from the subs’ bench against Liverpool in the Champions League final was considered the perfect springboard to assume Ronaldo’s mantle but it hasn’t materialised. Instead it is noted that he is still uncomfortable speaking Spanish, has not embraced the local lifestyle and does not accompany team-mates on social nights out. New goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois referred to his nickname, ‘ The Golfer’ because of his choice of pastime, and it was not interpreted as a compliment.
Bale will be 30 by the time next season starts and while eschewing late nights in Madrid may have stood him in good stead, his injury record would trouble any suitor.
He is at an age when Chelsea offer only one-year contracts, while Manchester United and Manchester City have younger options in wide positions. A return to Tottenham in their new stadium would have romantic appeal, but a club that has spent two transfer windows dormant would not appear to be in the market for big ticket items.
It seems a pity that a player of such immense talent could be left in limbo but if he stays in Madrid — which is his wish — he may be a squad player and little more.
The goal that looked to have at last propelled him to the fore at Madrid, has instead been his undoing. All it did was raise expectations to an impossible level. Bale was never going to be the next Ronaldo. Who is?