In 2013, everyone knew who the third best player in the world was. Gareth Bale was coming off a career season with Tottenham and was just about to turn 24, attracting interest from every big club in Europe.
With outstanding pace, strength, and a vicious shot from range, Bale was regarded as the closest thing to Cristiano Ronaldo in world football, and Real Madrid paid a then world record €100m fee to pair the Welshman and the Portuguese in a new-look attack, which would go on to deliver the club’s 10th Champions League title that season and a further three over the next five years. But despite his enormous trophy cabinet, Bale’s career in Madrid is widely considered a disappointment.
Unloved by coach and fans, the winger has been a bit-part player for years and perennially linked with a move away which never quite arrives.
But how did the most exciting player in the world become surplus to requirements?
This Video is courtesy of the youtube channel, Football Daily.
