Real Madrid supporters are calling for Gareth Bale to be sold after he posed with a controversial flag emblazoned with the words ‘WALES. GOLF. MADRID. IN THAT ORDER’ on Tuesday night.
Bale, 30, assisted the first of Aaron Ramsey’s two goals as Wales secured qualification for Euro 2020 with a 2-0 victory over Hungary at a raucous Cardiff City Stadium.
Before the qualifier, former Madrid star Pedja Mijatovic criticised Bale for apparently prioritising golf and his country over club duties – and it was these comments which prompted the creation of the now famous flag.
‘The first thing he thinks about is Wales, then golf and after that, Real Madrid,’ Mijatovic wrote in his AS column.
Bale added fuel to the fire by admitting that representing Wales gave him more ‘joy’ than playing for Madrid ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Hungary.
‘Yes definitely. It’s like playing with your mates down the park on a Sunday,’ he said.
‘I’ve been with most of the older players since we were in Under-17s.
‘It’s normal – with Wales, I’m speaking my own language and feel more comfortable. I definitely have a bit more excitement playing with Wales.
‘But it doesn’t change what I give on the pitch. I always give 100 per cent on the pitch wherever I am.’
The sight of Bale dancing with the flag – which somehow made its way down onto the pitch amid Wales’ celebrations – is hardly going to help the forward’s situation at the Bernabeu.
I mean, you have to respect it. You just have to respect it. pic.twitter.com/WOgy8r96fz
— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) November 19, 2019
Unsurprisingly, Madrid fans across social media reacted to Bale’s antics by calling for his time at the club to be brought to an end.
Bye bye !! @GarethBale11 !
— Daniel Moncada (@DanielMoncada22) November 19, 2019
La falta de respeto al @realmadriden es descomunal. Es momento de decirle adiós ?? hwyl fawr @GarethBale11 https://t.co/78poabXTcH
— ??????✞ (@baastiiannn) November 19, 2019
ADIÓS, GARETH BALE. En ese orden. https://t.co/IIqyLQNZfI
— Carlos Carrillo (@CarCarrillo95) November 19, 2019
Adiós Bale, ojalá lo saquen ya! https://t.co/lrn7nVvoPb
— Luchi Escobar Noriega ?? (@LuchiENoriega) November 19, 2019
Bye bye Gareth Bale, veremos cuánto más te dura la carrera https://t.co/UI714AWFqG
— fv (@fabio2096) November 19, 2019
Bale’s emotions got the better of him in the aftermath of Wales’ victory as he accidentally swore live on Sky Sports while poking fun at team-mate Ramsey.
‘It’s about time he contributed. F***ing hell. No, he was brilliant tonight,’ Bale joked.
‘We knew all along that this would be a tough group and it would be close so we didn’t want to get carried away from the start but now we are there.
‘We had the best time of our lives in France and we can enjoy it again with these amazing fans.’
On Wales’ qualification for next summer’s tournament, manager Ryan Giggs said: ‘It doesn’t get any better than this. It’s amazing.
‘To come from where we were. All credit to the lads to show the determination they have.
‘We always believed. And I’m just so happy we managed to do it. It’s one of the best days of my life.’
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