“I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.” – Gareth Bale on joining Real Madrid
When he took to the podium amidst a cheering crowd at the Bernabeu, Gareth Bale had learnt his lines pretty well. The Welsh forward, who joined Los Merengues from Tottenham in 2013, was yet another footballer charmed and blinded by the glorious past of this club. Following his ‘dream move’ to the Spanish capital, the then-24-year-old attacker would have to wait for six tough years to see his move turn into nothing short of a nightmare.
How can that be termed a terrible ordeal when he has won 14 trophies in six seasons and found the net 105 times in 231 games? Bale has undoubtedly had a dream career on the green pastures of the Bernabeu; after all, not every person can dream of winning four Champions League trophies at a single club, let alone winning three of those in succession. Real Madrid have given him happiness beyond measure, beyond his wildest dreams when it comes to accumulation of silverware.
And yet, Bale could be forgiven if he still feels empty and dejected when he walks off the pitch in Madrid. The Welshman has been taunted, booed and ridiculed far too many times in his time at the Spanish capital. His injury-stricken spell at the Bernabeu hasn’t exactly helped him remain a favourite at the Bernabeu for long.
Zinedine Zidane’s re-appointment as Real Madrid coach has all but struck the final nail in the coffin of Bale’s bittersweet career at Real Madrid. Even so, the way he is being pushed out the club just reminds us of how excruciatingly cruel Los Blancos can be when they dispose off things they need no more.
Whether the 30-year-old really fulfilled his potential at the Bernabeu will always be a question up for debate. What can’t be denied is the fact that Gareth Bale has hardly disappointed when given the opportunity to play. For all those rendering him useless for Madrid, here’s a player who won them their third consecutive Champions League title single-handedly. Here’s a lightning-quick speedster whose solo goal won them the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bale has scored more goals than Zidane, boasts a better games-to-goals ratio than Raul and has a better assist tally than David Beckham. In spite of all the insults hurled at him, the Welshman has every right to stand tall knowing he has done has fared well in a stint blighted by injuries.
And yet, Bale should have envisaged this harsh treatment coming, shouldn’t he? His current plight at the club evokes a long list of names who have endured similar treatment before him.
Does Bale have the right to expect better knowing that a legend like Iker Casillas was left isolated in his farewell press conference when none of the Madrid hierarchy cared to come? The legendary Spanish shot-stopper labelled a mole by the supporters, left the club in tears when what he deserved was a beautiful goodbye and thank you for his loyal services to the club.
Raul, another legendary marksman to grace the Bernabeu pastures, left in dismay amidst improper treatment, even after topping the charts as the club’s all-time top goalscorer. A few years later, Cristiano Ronaldo followed the suit, departing with his head hung in disappointment over how the club had failed to value his services. He was, after all, the finest player ever to don the famous white shirt.
The bottom line is, Real Madrid have never been respectful of their legends. The Spanish giants have gigantic arrogance ingrained as an aftermath of their monumental and successful past. Trampling the grass at the Bernabeu in the famous white shirt is a dream for many, but the said fantasy comes with its bunch of ramifications. And Gareth Bale is the latest in the long line of luminaries to have experienced it.
Bernabeu might appear as an alcazar to the footballing fraternity, but it turns into Lucifer’s den to those who have lived their ‘dream’.
While Gareth Bale’s presence hardly holds any importance now, Los Merengues have already roped in their next string of Galacticos. Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Rodrygo Goes, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy are readying themselves for a tough challenge ahead, more mentally than physically. For the new contingent, the case of Bale will serve as a lesson teaching them to expect quite opposite of getting a grand farewell when they call time on their Real Madrid careers.
Next, to all those who still aspire to be at the club, the Welshman and many others before him, will serve as a warning about why prevention is better than cure
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