So much for being a “parasite” who has been sucking blood “without giving anything in return.”
Gareth Bale is still world-class. And when everything else has deserted him, that greatness will still be there – because form is temporary but class is permanent. After Bale's mind-blowing free-kick and stunning finish in the World Cup play-off against Austria, a nation can dare to dream again.
But above all, it was a stunning answer to a Spanish publication's low blows, cheap-shot insults and outrageous mock-up of the Wales captain as a blood-sucking mosquito. Bale has won 14 trophies at Real Madrid and now he is 90 minutes from leading his country to their first World Cup finals for 64 years.
