Real Madrid news: Now or never for injury-prone Gareth Bale

Will this season define Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid legacy?

The footballing world as we know it is obsessed with today’s rising superstars. Fans and critics alike have formed their opinions on who will ascend to the top of the podium after Ronaldo and Messi hang their boots. Neymar, Hazard, and Dybala are just a few of the names deemed worthy successors to the aforementioned legends.

Not long ago, there was another player poised to assume the mantle – so much so that he was crowned the world’s most expensive player. And if you haven’t already guessed it, it’s Gareth Bale.

It was the stuff of fairy-tales for the Welsh wizard. Three blistering seasons with Tottenham had pushed him to the forefront of English football and inevitably, Real Madrid came calling. After a drawn-out transfer battle, the deal was concluded for a whopping €100 million on deadline day – making the Bernabéu his new home. Florentino Pérez had found the perfect player to supplement and potentially emulate Cristiano Ronaldo, but he didn’t foresee the complications.

Almost ironically, Bale suffered an injury set-back as soon as he arrived at the club – which led to him featuring only five times in the opening two months of the 2013/14 season. However, his fortunes improved dramatically as the season progressed and he became a pivotal part of the team. His partnership with Benzema and Ronaldo flourished, while his goals in crucial encounters made him an instant fan-favourite. His incredible match-winning run against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final became the highlight of a triumphant season.

The following campaign was statistically even better, but there was little to show for it as the club finished the season poorly. Carlo Ancelotti was sacked and Rafa Benitez was brought in, with the Spaniard expected to build his team around Bale. That’s exactly what he tried to do, but the results were underwhelming and he was out of the dugout before he knew it. Injuries also began haunting the Welshman and he spent the vast majority of Zidane’s first few months on the side-lines.

Trouble in paradise

What was expected to be a minor blip in an otherwise successful career has turned into a regular occurrence as Bale has barely racked up 40 appearances in the last two seasons. His most recent affliction was expected to last only a couple of weeks, but multiples relapses have seen Bale miss the majority of the season so far. Now declared fit, he has the chance to help his team manoeuvre a tough spell of games and guide them to success.

An exit from the club has been touted on multiple occasions, especially to Manchester United, but Bale has stood the test of time. Nevertheless, another disappointing season is likely to make the Madrid management reconsider their stance – especially if they receive a convincing offer. Even on a personal level, the Welshman must aspire to greater heights if he is to fulfil his potential.

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With the ripe age of 29 just a few months away, Bale doesn’t have long before his ferocious pace eludes him. Moreover, Ronaldo’s withdrawn influence on the wing offers the perfect chance for Gareth to establish himself as the team’s focal point. In any case, time is evidently running out for the winger in his quest for superstardom and unfortunate injury troubles aside, the next few months may define his Real Madrid legacy for better or worse.