Less than one year after Gareth Bale being the toast of European football and the narrative of the Welshman’s Spanish stay has been completely flipped on its head.
After coming to Madrid with the world record transfer fee of €100 million and a PFA Player of the Year award in his trophy cabinet, there were huge expectations placed on the former Spurs winger – and by and large he lived up to the lofty expectations.
Bale scored 22 goals in 44 appearances for Los Blancos in his debut season as he helped the Spanish giants claim their 10th Champions League crown and their 19th Copa Del Rey, scoring important goals in both finals.
It was hailed as “incredible” by Steve McManaman and “fantastic” by teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, but as the curtain closes on Bale’s second season in Madrid, the tide has turned on the Welshman. Disgruntled looks from his teammates, poor performances on the field, battles with injury and reports from the Spanish press that coach Carlo Ancellotti wanted to drop Bale have culminated in a nightmare sophomore campaign for the 25-year-old, where he has gone from darling to dud.
Spain’s two leading sports newspapers, Marca and AS, have lambasted Bale for much of the season, with the former giving Bale the lowest score of any eligible player in this month’s El Clasico while the latter failed to even give him a score – as Bale registered a 0/10.
Bale has been described as “listless”, “irrelevant” and a “disaster” by the Spanish press, which was compounded by an AS poll in March that revealed that 68.3 per cent of Real Madrid fans wanted to see Bale dropped to the bench.
Bale couldn’t seem to catch a break from anywhere but maintained the confidence of his coach and his president. As former Philadelphia Eagles coach Joe Kuhariach said, “If you listen to the fans, you’ll find yourself sitting with them.”
Yet statistically Bale’s 2014-15 campaign has not been too far off his debut season, down just three goals and seven assists from last season – disappointing, sure, but hardly a disaster.
Radamel Falcao’s four goals in 28 games is a disaster, Mario Balotelli’s four goals in 26 games is a disaster, Bale’s 19 goals and 11 assists this season is no such thing.
But statistics aside, Bale is not the same player he was last year and it’s clear to see. He shy’s away from the ball, he overthinks his decisions, he drops his head after every mistake as he feels his teammates’ glares without even looking. Bale is in a bad situation and only time will tell if he decides to persevere or look elsewhere to advance his football career.
Realistically, under FIFA’s Fair Play Financial rules, there are only two clubs that could afford him and they are both in Manchester. But Bale’s joy is gone at Madrid and he does not play with the same liberation and freedom he does when playing for Wales.
Physically, he is in peak condition but mentally he is far from it.
balotelli
Guest
People saying Bale doesnt get the ball, well considering the way he missed chances and single handedly knocked Madrid out of the UCL,who can blame James and Co if they choose to give the ball to a goal scoring machine like Ronaldo... Those headers he missed vs Juventus i'm certain without a shadow of doubt CR7 would have scored at the very least 1 of them
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Don't think it will be too long before he is back in the EPL
dad
Guest
HAHA. I'm sure Ronaldo is a lot happier than yourself. Now and in the future.
Realfootball
Guest
Anyone forced to play in the same team as C Ronaldo is going to have trouble. There is simply no oxygen with Ronaldo's gigantic ego sucking it all up. Mind you, Ronaldo has a very cold shower coming - his 30s, fading powers and retirement. God knows what an ego like that will do when no longer fed by playing in front of the crowds. A very unpleasant individual, if his antics on the pitch are any guide.
Urthor
Roar Rookie
Manchester have a good 4-5 forwards on the books atm, they absolutely do not need to add another to that even if it's Gareth Bale. Zero chance for him to be heading there lets be honest.
SM
Guest
Kicked? Good grief! Stick to the AFL, champ.
Steve
Guest
Never worth $100m or whatever it is they paid for him. Even when scoring the decisive goals in their two titles last year, he played poorly in both games. You could look at it as a sign of a champion rising and scoring despite not playing well, or you could look at it as a warning that the player does not possess the technical ability to dominate but does have the athleticism to get the job done at the end of the game when others tire (both decisive goals last season were late in the game and more a reflection of his athletic advantage than any sort of technical superiority). He is still a top player to have, particularly for a counter attacking side, but realistically the best teams rarely set up in a counter attack as they are often forced to make the play themselves, with rare exceptions. It is no coincidence the best technical players play for the best teams. He'd be better suited to a team with a poorer midfield, less possession and therefore less congestion in the attacking third - which is why he was great at Spurs. Next season - Man United?
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
What did another Welshman Ian Rush, say (allegedly said), playing in Italy is like playing in a foreign country. Bale will thrive at Man U, where his first touch will not be as important. Mental strength is very important, think Suarez last season after coming from biting incident, Ronaldo after (his wink sent Rooney off in WC06), Beckham after send off against Argentina in WC02. All 3 were under immense pressure & excelled.
Dean
Guest
He has exquisite skill, pace and goal scoring ability. This could be said equally of Bale or Ronaldo. IMO, Bale should go to Atletico or Bayern and show Real that the real problem was with the 'play it through Ronaldo' game plan not Bale himself. Bale's kicked 19 goals and Ronaldo's kicked 42 in open play and Benzema 22. That's a pretty good goal kicking record for the third in line. Were he the go-to like he was at Spurs and is at Wales, he'd be kicking more goals. Real simply have too many attacking options and one in particular who prevent the others getting a look in. I don't think there's anyone in the football world that thinks Bale wouldn't kick more goals at any other club in the world (except maybe Barca because their front 3 are pretty handy as well). If Madrid don't want him, that's great for us football fans who will get to watch him strut his stuff more at any other club.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I think what makes the likes of Suarez and Neymar so special is that you can put them into almost any league or any scenario and they will dominate. They have the mental and physical strength to deal with just about anything. Bale clearly doesn't quite possess that although I think he is a footballer of the highest calibre. In a foreign country you need more than just ability to survive. Someone mentioned the 'madhouse' that is Real Madrid. Not many survive it let alone thrive in it. I feel that Bale has had 2 good seasons in Spain but the machine will start to eat away at him. Being 'white' probably doesn't help.....
Kaks
Roar Guru
1) Everyone knew the price paid for Bale was over the top and not really a true reflection of his worth, even though he is an exceptional footballer. That price has obviously put greater pressure on him 2) The Madrid fans have been known to be some of the worst in the world. They will love you at the start of the day and hate you at the end of it. 3) You can see that the gameplan at Madrid has changed to "give the ball to Ronaldo" so that Madrid can feed the huge ego of their star player. Look at how many crosses Bale has been putting into the box lately. That isnt his strength - his strengths are his speed, surging runs and powerful/accurate shot. Add to that how petulant Ronaldo has been lately with people 'taking' his goals and you can tell there is major disharmony in the dressing room. 4) He is obviously not enjoying his football right now. You can see there is no joy in him. He needs a move to rekindle his love for the game and to start performing again. A move to any of the big boys in England will show us the real Bale.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Ok maybe doesn't suit is not the right words, there is no doubt he did well last year, but this year not so well. Real Madrid fans had hardly heard of Gareth Bale, apart from craving up the EPL for a season or 2, his national team was never in the spotlight, nor was his club team (spurs) in the champions League, suddenly they have signed this guy as the most expensive player in the world, they were expecting a Neymar, a Messi or a Ronaldo or even Suarez. Now Bale is an incredible talent, but he is no way close to that level. Suarez performance last season for Liverpool far exceeded anything Bale had ever done in the premier league, only matched by Ronaldo a few seasons before at Man U. This is Bale's problem, he had big expectation & has come up short, his first touch is nowhere near what is required to be a real top notch player. Agree with you the poisonous environment at Real Madrid.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I agree with most here. The 2015/15 ambitions at Real Madrid have taken a hammering, most recently at the hands of Juventus, and both the fans and the media are looking for scapegoats. Not a fun time to be there.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I would disagree that Bale doesn't suit the La Liga. He is the 10th highest goal scorer and 6th highest assist provider this season. He was 9th in goals and 4th in assists last season. I would say those stats say it suits him very well. But the environment at the Bernabeu is poisonous and he needs to get out if he wants to make the most of his incredible talent.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Yes he would absolutely kill it in the premier league, a straight swap between Di Maria & Bale. With Di Maria so much better suited to the La Liga then Premier league & Bale the other way round. RM has really missed Xabi ALonso & Angel Di Maria this year, so has Ronaldo.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Loving this. Every day he seems one step closer to signing for Man United. He could turn us into a real title contender.
nordster
Guest
Agree he is being punished for where he comes from and them never taking him seriosuly on a technical level. Seems like he will always be seen as being signed for reasons other than purely football....twink marketing value...he does tick those boxes! Hard to perform being undermined by default rightly or wrongly. He didnt come out of somewhere the spanish fans consider worthy of real.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Bale is an athlete & very skillful football, but technically good, but not great. Spain is a Technical country, they are blessed to see the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Koke, Xavio, Ineista, Neymar. Bale is a different player hence not appreciated as someone like Glenn Hoddle was never fully appreciated in England, because England tends to like they players giving their all over technical ability.
Jack O'Toole
Roar Guru
The stats where fairly overwhelming last night in terms of the amount of times James or Isco had passed to Ronaldo over Bale and Benzema, but then again why wouldn't you when you have a goalscoring machine like that. Yeah he's in one of the toughest environments in sport and his skils are still there, they havent eroded, it's just his confidence has been shattered
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
Yeah he has zero confidence atm. The fans and media have turned on him.. The team is built around cr7.. It's the Ronaldo show and his supporting cast.. You just have to look at The dynamic and ethic at barca between that front 3 all playing completely and utterly unselfishly., it's the antithesis of what's happening at RM. Agreed he should gtfo ASAP.