Gareth Bale - The Unsung Hero for Real Madrid

By Pablo Morquecho - Gareth BaleUploaded by Dudek1337, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28437346

While announcing himself as a Tottenham Hotspur player on Twitter, Gareth Bale quoted another tweet from seven years ago, thanking Spurs fans as he prepared to leave for Real Madrid. It was perhaps the perfect way of symbolizing how the latest chapter of his storied career is continuing a much older one.

To all the Spurs fans, after 7 years, I’m back! #COYS @SpursOfficial https://t.co/NbAaUWefQP pic.twitter.com/zGk37PnQe9
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) September 19, 2020

The seven years in between have not been without its downs. The final part of his Madrid stint saw Bale cut a lonely figure in the stands, frozen out by manager Zinedine Zidane. His constant absences due to injuries, perceived by some as a lack of commitment, meant Madrid's fans never quite warmed up to him.

The Spanish press had no love lost for him, even going as far as to allege that his passion for golf was proof of his disinterest in football. For the press in Madrid, Bale never belonged.

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This, despite the Welshman scoring winners in two Champions League finals — the kind of feat that would have made club icons of others. Or scoring more goals for Real than legends like Ronaldo Nazario, Zidane, and Luis Figo and providing more assists than David Beckham.

Even netting one of the best goals in El Clasico history — an unstoppable sprint from the half-way line — against Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey final wasn't enough for Bale to be truly accepted into the fold.

By Jan S0L0 - Gareth Bale, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49125819

His four CL titles, two La Liga crowns, and 105 goals make him; statistically, the most successful British player to play outside the Isles.

But now, after a frustrating last season in Madrid, Bale needs to rediscover the spark. Thirteen years ago, Spurs invested in a 17-year-old kid, making waves at Southampton.

Now, they've placed their faith again in the belief that he's far from finished.

That familiar arm around the shoulder might just be what Bale needs.