In stark contrast to the horrid time he’s enduring at Real Madrid, Gareth Bale continues to shine at the international level.
The Welshman’s last 2 seasons at Los Blancos have faded in obscurity, due to a severe lack of playing time paired alongside spats with managers.
Current gaffer Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t seem particularly fond as Bale last started a game back in September. All this coupled with contract negotiations have placed the 32-year-old in the middle of a witch hunt by Spanish Media, an example of which is this article by Marca.
‘The Welsh parasite.’
— Brendy Boyle (@BrendyBoyle) March 24, 2022
– He sucked and continues to suck euros from the club.
– Unlike others of his species like the flea or bedbug, a bite from Bale doesn’t produce a sting or illness, instead he starts taking the piss, showing disrespect for those he lives off.
Marca. #Bale pic.twitter.com/AwDMUce4jE
Titled ‘The Welsh Parasite’, the article displays a caricature of Bale as a bug and states that the player ‘has sucked and continues to suck Euros from the club’.
The Welshman has now provided two perfect responses during and after his heroic performance for Wales against Austria.
Wales’ captain led from the front and netted twice, including an unstoppable free-kick, and advanced his Nation’s World Cup qualifying campaign into the play-offs.
While celebrating one of his goals, Bale thumped his chest and kissed the badge, evidently invigorated.
He also looked into the camera and proclaimed “suck this!”, before holding the badge right in front of the lens.
The best manner of responding to criticism is doing your talking on the pitch, and Gareth Bale gave fans the perfect example.
The Dragon
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 25, 2022
pic.twitter.com/Pjl3ihZWwh
The former Tottenham Hotspur man continued his retaliation after the match a well.
In a tweet after the game, Bale criticized the initial article by Marca calling it ‘slanderous’ and ‘derogatory’ and questioned the media’s expectations from players.
He also brought up the impacts of negative articles on the mental health of players, citing the need for accountability.
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) March 25, 2022
