Gareth Bale, four-time UEFA Champions League winner and once the world’s most expensive football transfer, will leave Real Madrid this summer, his manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed. The 32-year-old has fallen out of favour at the club and what lies ahead for the Welshman is anyone’s guess.
The Italian confirmed the same to the media recently, saying that Bale wants to end things in a good way – and that he hopes the Wales international gets to sign off on a high.
“I have a good relationship with him and the rest of the players,”
he told the media ahead of a Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain, as er ESPN.
“Personal relationships are strong when everyone shows respect and he has always done that and has never let me down in that regard.
“In the past, he hasn’t had great motivation, but he wants to end things here in a good way.
“Bale has helped this club to win the Champions League, Copa del Rey, and signing off on a high here would be good for his career.”
Bale’s share of games fell drastically in the 2019/20 season. Having participated in 42 matches for Los Blancos the season before, he played less than half after almost quitting the club that summer.
The winger spent the 2020/21 season on loan at his former club Tottenham Hotspur, getting a decent return of 16 goals in 34 games but returned to his parent club ahead of the 2021/22 campaign. He has played four games – all of those in the league – and scored one goal so far this season.
Bale could retire from football at the end of the season, suggest reports. As per the rumours, he will continue to play football if his native Wales reaches the Qatar World Cup, to keep himself match fit for the finals at the end of the year.
He could also join a Premier League or a Championship club to do the same. However, should Wales be eliminated from the 2022 World Cup qualification, the forward could call it quits. On March 23, Wales will lock horns with Austria in the WC qualification playoffs semifinals.