by Robert Jones
GARETH Bale’s form for Real Madrid has not reached the usual heights so far this season, and the fans are turning on the Welshman yet again after he was substituted in his side’s 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at the weekend, touching the ball only 20 times.
In a surprising turn of events Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett has launched a staggering attack on the Madrid fans, labelling them a disgrace for their treatment of the Welsh star. “They should be ashamed of themselves”. (David Ornstein, BBC Sport).
Bale joined the Spanish giants in 2013 for a then world record fee, but six years later Bale is still struggling to make the team his, even with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer. Constant transfer speculation has surrounded Bale amid claims he is still struggling to adapt to Spanish life.
Sid Lowe from the Guardian has been speaking ahead of tonight’s key fixture, which sees Real host Ajax in the second leg of the Champions league with the home side leading 2-1. It remains to be seen if Bale will start the game with the pressure building on both the club and Bale.
Lowe looks at some staggering reasons as to why fans but also his fellow teammates have issues with the striker, “He stands accused of going to bed early and playing Golf. They are hardly the most heinous crimes but there is something deeper: a sense that he has not integrated, nor reached his best level consistently, that while he has often been decisive, he has rarely dominated.” (Sid Lowe, the Guardian).
These comments come after both Marcelo and Thibaut Courtois have voiced their displeasure regarding Bale’s lack of ability to be a part of the squad and speak very little Spanish.
These are alarming allegations for a player in his sixth season with Real. While the contributions for Madrid have been immense over the years, most recently his acrobatic goal to help Real defeat Liverpool in last season’s champions league final, he is still lacking the appreciation he warrants.
Real fans are a very unique set of supporters who can adore a player, but can also turn on that individual without hesitation. Lowe goes on to say “Those historic moments have not been enough to give him immunity.”