Liverpool's Champions League final opponents Real Madrid have announced their squad ahead of Saturday's showdown in Paris and it includes a familiar foe.
Welsh winger Gareth Bale has been included in the 26-man list announced by the La Liga giants today, despite featuring only seven times for Los Blancos all season.
The former Tottenham star has previous with the Reds, after scoring twice in the 2018 final in Kiev, including an outrageous bicycle kick, to clinch the Champions League trophy - and a record 13th European cup - for Madrid.
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But Bale's spell at the Bernabeu has not been a happy one in recent years. After being frozen out of the first team he spent the 2020/21 season on loan back at previous club Spurs and has found his opportunities in Spain severely limited and the campaign just ended.
The Wales international has played just 20 minutes of action for the La Liga champions since turning out for his country in the World Cup play-off semi-final against Austria back on March 24. He has been omitted from numerous matchday squads under Carlo Ancelotti, but has trained in the build-up to Saturday's action.
All of Madrid's big guns are named in the squad, including top scorer Karim Benzema, pacey winger Vinicius Jnr. and midfielders Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco.
Veteran Brazilian full-back Marcelo has also won his fitness race. The 34-year-old is the most decorated player in the club's proud history, with 24 medals and is hoping to win his fifth Champions League in Paris on Saturday evening.
Real Madrid's Champions League final squad in full
Courtois, Lunin, Fuidias; Carvajal, E. Miltao, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Marcelo, F. Mendy; Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Valverde, Lucas V., D. Ceballos, Isco, Camavinga; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio, Jovic, Bale, Vinicius Jnr., Rodrygo, Mariano.
