Gareth Bale has done so much for Real Madrid - and the proof is there for all to see in the statistics of his Los Blancos career and the silverware he has won.
The Welshman signed for the club in an £85million deal in the summer of 2013 and it’s fair to say his trophy cabinet is now rather crowded. Not that his efforts in the white shirt have ever really been appreciated. His time with the Spanish giants is coming to an end, with his contract up this summer, with relations with supporters and the media as fraught as ever.
At the weekend he was criticised by sections of the press for not attending Madrid's coronation as they were crowded La Liga champions for the 35th time, which he explained was down to bad back spasms. He was also booed by home supporters when he made his comeback at the Bernabeu last month, which was likely to be his farewell appearance at the famous stadium.
READ MORE: Gareth Bale accused of 'ugly gesture' in fresh attack by Spanish media
This came on the back of being labelled "a parasite" during the last international break by a Spanish editorial, prompting the 32-year-old to hit back with a stinging statement on his social media channels, condemning the criticism.
So how did it all come to this? Well, you can read all about that here. But what supporters of Madrid gloss over is his vital contribution to a glorious silverware-laden period at the club.
During his best years in the Spanish capital, along with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, Bale’s contribution to the success of the club has been huge. Despite the attacker's involvement slowly diminishing over the years, Bale has yet another league title in his locker with Madrid, which has now taken him to three at the club.
The statistics actually show that Bale has arguably had a more successful time with the Spanish giants than some of the club’s biggest - and most revered - legends.
The current La Liga champions have undoubtedly had some special players in the past, including the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo (the Brazilian version) and stalwart Raul. But the stats show that Bale is one of the most successful players to pull on the Madrid shirt.
The former Tottenham man has made 258 appearances for the club and has scored 106 goals, which means he has scored more than the Brazilian Ronaldo (R9), who notched up 104 strikes in the five years he was playing for Los Blancos.
The Welshman, who’s not only known for his goalscoring ability, has also provided 67 assists for his team-mates since 2013, which is more than one of the most creative players in Madrid's history, David Beckham, who registered 51 during his time in Spain.
These statistics alone are evidence enough to illustrate how much Bale has done for the club. With these goals and assists, the winger has achieved a plethora of trophies. Bale has now won three league titles at Madrid, which is two more than one of the best players of the modern generation, Zidane. The Frenchman won one league title during his playing career at Madrid.
Bale has not only been successful domestically, but also in Europe. He’s won four Champions League trophies with Madrid, which is more than Portuguese legend Luis Figo, who won three. He also scored in two finals, including a stunning bicycle kick against Liverpool in 2018, etching his name into Champions League folklore in the process.
These figures show how triumphant Bale’s time at Real Madrid has been. There’s no doubt the relationship between him and Madrid has gone sour over the last few years. However his achievements cannot be downplayed, and despite the vitriol that's been aimed his way, the Wales skipper should be remembered as a great and club legend for the huge moments he helped create. Don't hold your breath, though.
