Real Madrid ‘fear Gareth Bale CANNOT play two games in a row without risk of injuring himself again’… but he could start Champions League showdown with PSG tonight despite Carlo Ancelotti confirming his summer exit
- Real Madrid fear Gareth Bale could suffer an injury set-back if he starts at PSG
- The 32-year-old started his first match for Los Blancos since August due to injury
- His boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed he will leave in June with Spurs interested
Real Madrid are reportedly in fear that Welsh superstar Gareth Bale may suffer yet another injury set-back if he is to start against PSG in the Champions League.
The 32-year-old featured in Los Blancos 0-0 draw with Villarreal on the weekend and impressed – leaving boss Carlo Ancelotti with a decision to make ahead of their last-16 tie with the French giants.
Although, according to reports from Spanish radio station Cadena SER, there is major concerns whether he can play two games in a row without the risk of injuring himself again.
Real Madrid fear Gareth Bale may suffer an injury set-back if he plays against PSG in the Champions League
The 32-year-old played in Los Blancos 0-0 draw with Villarreal in the LaLiga on the weekend
It was the former Tottenham wingers first start for Madrid since August and with the Spanish side already suffering with a number of injuries, it could be a question of whether they decide to risk him or not.
‘In the player’s environment they want calm. They don’t say that the player is at 100% to be a starter again’ against PSG, said Anton Meana. For his part, Antonio Romero assured that ‘to think that tomorrow Bale can start is a chimera’.
Bale’s performance against Villarreal has fuelled the debate about his possible return to the starting eleven, especially with the current injury crisis at Madrid.
Bale’s performance against Villarreal has fuelled debate about his return to the starting line-up
Jorge Valdano, in El Tercer Tiempo of Vamos, defended the Welshman ahead of the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against PSG.
‘It’s a unique case. He’s a great player, it’s reality. Bale seems to me the best possibility.
‘The psychological characteristics of the players also matter and we’ve already said it, Bale is excited by big chances.
‘We’ve already seen it in the Champions League finals, for example. There are players who get smaller and others who get bigger.’
Jorge Valdano believes Bale (pictured) is the perfect solution for Madrid ahead of PSG tie
Bale signed a new contract with Madrid in 2016, earning him a reported £600,000-a-week, but a dip in form plus consistent injuries has seen him become a bit-part player at the club.
He has been at the Bernabeu since 2013 and has won 14 major honours with the club, including four Champions League’s, three Club World Cups and two La Liga titles.
However, Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Bale would be leaving in June.
‘Bale has had injuries, then his contract ends – he may not have had a good motivation but he wants to finish here as he deserves,’ Ancelotti is reported as saying.
‘It’s important for Bale to finish his career well here.’
Bale could return to former club Tottenham Hotspur once his Madrid contract expires
Spanish outlet El Nacional reported that a deal between Spurs and Bale had been struck three months ago.
El Nacional also says Tottenham had hoped to sign Bale last summer but a move failed to materialise due to demands from the La Liga giants.
Bale originally left Spurs to join Real Madrid for £85m in 2013, and spent the 2020-21 season at Tottenham on loan.
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