MY ACCOUNT
Gareth Bale looks set to depart Real Madrid when his contract expires this summer.
Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti suggested that the Wales captain’s time at the Bernabeu is coming to an end in a press conference earlier this week.
Ahead of his side’s blockbuster clash with Paris Saint-Germain tonight in the Champions League, we consider what the future may hold for the 32-year-old.
Time to say goodbye
Nearly nine years have passed since Bale traded Tottenham for the Spanish capital in what was, at the time, a world record transfer.
It is fair to say his spell in Madrid has not really lived up to expectations, on the whole.
Four Champions Leagues, two LaLiga crowns and a Copa Del Ray is not a bad haul by any stretch, yet Bale will not be departing as a club legend — far from it.
Despite notching over 100 goals in the famous white jersey, Bale’s time at Real has been marred by injuries, controversies and a declining relationship with supporters.
Off-field antics in recent years have seen his popularity plummet to the point of no return and a loan back to former club Spurs last term signalled the beginning of the end.
Now, with his contract a matter of months from expiration, a clean break finally appears imminent.
Leaving on good terms
Ancelotti caught everybody off guard when naming Bale in his starting line-up to face Villarreal last weekend.
Despite missing a couple of decent chances in the goalless draw — his first appearance since August — the boss seemed pleased with his attacker’s efforts.
Ancelotti explained: “I have a good relationship with him and the rest of the players.
“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.”
Looking to the future
Featuring regularly between now and the end of the campaign seems to be the ideal outcome for both Bale and Madrid.
Getting minutes under his belt will boost the Welshman’s fitness and match sharpness, as well as giving him a platform to catch the attention of potential suitors.
It has been a while since the Cardiff native produced top class performances on a regular basis — doing so between now and May would go a long way to silencing any doubts over his mindset.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos still have work to do if they are to secure their 35th LaLiga title this year, with Sevilla sat only four points adrift of them with 14 matches remaining.
The leaders have dropped points in four of their last seven league outings and drawn a blank on three occasions, offering the chasing pack hope.
Bringing Bale back in from the wilderness to help fire Madrid over the line could prove a stroke of genius from their wily Italian chief.
Where next?
Once the season begins to near its conclusion, talk will naturally turn to Bale’s next destination.
The leading contenders appear once again to be Tottenham, where he made his name as a youngster before enduring a mixed loan spell back in North London last term.
With Antonio Conte desperate to add star quality to his ranks, a move certainly seems plausible, but Spurs are unlikely to be the only interested party.
Given money is no issue, even a return to his homeland with Championship outfit Cardiff should not be ruled out — though playing second-tier football may not be ideal preparation for November’s potential World Cup tilt.
Fellow Dragons star Aaron Ramsey may try and convince his countryman to head further north and join him at Rangers, while a lucrative offer could quite feasibly arrive from ambitious Newcastle.
A star with the global appeal of Bale is sure to attract offers from all over the planet — expect Chinese and MLS clubs to be in the mix too.
Time will tell
Recent reports have even suggested that Bale is strongly considering retirement from football altogether.
Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol believes that the Welshman’s future may hinge on March’s World Cup play-off with Austria.
Solhekol said: “If Wales don’t qualify for the World Cup, I think there is a very good chance that Bale will just retire from football when his contract runs out in the summer.
“He feels he’s achieved everything he set out to achieve in the game and if he’s not going to be able to play in the World Cup with Wales, then he’ll retire.”
In many ways, it would be a crying shame for someone of his ability to call time on a playing career that surely still has chapters left to be written.
However the next few months pan out, Bale looks certain to be doing things his own way as usual.
