Zidane’s Controversial Bale Comments Ignite Social Media: Why Gareth Bale Deserves Your Respect
Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale's future at the Bernabeu was uncertain leading into the current transfer window, but with comments made by club manager, Zinedine Zidane, in recent days, it seems that the Welshman's time in Madrid has finally come to an end.
Amidst a standoff between Bale's agent and the club over his transfer, Zidane was quoted as saying, "We hope he leaves soon. It would be best for everyone." While the statement holds truth, it had a bit of a sting to it, sending social media into a frenzy. Football fans quickly took sides and shared their opinions on the matter sparking debate amongst the community. While his departure now seems imminent, let's go over the facts and explore Gareth Bale's spell with Los Blancos.
Irish Examiner
In September of 2013, the Tottenham wonder kid was shipped to Madrid for a world record transfer fee of €100.8 million. In his first season, while plagued by injury, Bale managed 22 goals and 16 assists in 43 appearances across all competitions managing a goal per game ratio of .51. The most notable of which came in 2-1 Copa Del Rey victory over Barcelona, which will go down as not only one of the most memorable goals in Real Madrid history, but also football history as a whole. Bale also scored a crucial goal in the Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid, putting Real 2-1 ahead in the 110 minute of extra time, which would see him finish with 6 goals throughout.
During the 2014-15 season, Bale's second with the club, he was able to net 22 goals in 54 appearances. However, while still scoring at an effective level, this was certainly the year to forget as in a league match against Espanyol, he was booed by the home fans for not passing the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo. His season was then cut short by a calf injury in mid-April.
BBC
Bale's third season saw another rise in form for the winger as he netted 24 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions. In this season Bale scored his 43rd La Liga goal, making him the highest-scoring British player surpassing Gary Lineker. Another successful champion League campaign would see Bale assist the only goal for Real Madrid in the final versus Atletico, and convert his penalty, resulting in another Champions League trophy. Bale would also go on to captain an underdog Wales team to an impressive semi-final appearance in the European Championships that summer. Tallying 3 goals throughout the competition putting him tied for second place in the golden boot standings.
The 16-17 season would be Bale's worst for Los Blancos. Injury woes kept him sidelined for the majority of the season as he only managed 13 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions.
Now in his fifth year with the club, Bale's campaign in 17-18 would see a return to form of his first season with Real. Staying relatively injury-free, Bale would manage 24 goals in 41 appearances, including 16 goals in 26 appearances in La Liga. Now playing in his fourth Champions League final, Bale was once again, the hero that Madrid needed. Bale scored two goals, including a superb overhead kick and won Man of the Match, hoisting the Champions League trophy for the fourth time in five years.
Bleacher Report
In what seems to be his final season with Real Madrid, Bale picked up an increased workload, due to the departure of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer. An underwhelming season for the club as a whole, Bale achieved 16 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions. During this season Bale netted his 100th goal in a Los Blancos.
With all this being said Gareth Bale will finish his career at Real Madrid with:
102 goals
65 assists
1 La Liga title
1 Copa Del Rey
1 Spanish Super Cup
4 Champions Leagues
3 UEFA Super Cups
4 FIBA Club World Cups
For a player that in recent years has been labeled as overrated and has been said to underperform, the statistics and his trophy cabinet disagree. Gareth Bale at the top of his game is simply put one of the best in the world. At just 30 years old he still has some of his best years left to give. With Real Madrid looking to sell him, Bale is now the hottest available transfer prospect. When said and done his transfer this summer can shake up the landscape of top-flight football for years to come.
Football London
