Gareth Bale has been included in Real Madrid’s squad to face Liverpool in the Champions League final in what will he be his final game for the club.
The Welshman is leaving Real Madrid at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract, bringing an end to his nine-year stay in the Spanish capital. Ironically, his greatest moment for the club arguably came four years ago – when he netted twice as the Spanish giants defeated the Reds 3-1 in the Champions League final.
There are no notable absentees from Real Madrid’s squad for the final, with the club having a clean bill of health with no suspensions. Other players involved who look set to leave this summer include club captain Marcelo, Isco, Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz.
Bale has recently hit out at Spanish media outlet Marca as being “disgusting” for comparing him to a parasite over claims he is sucking money out of the Spanish giants. Bale concluded a rant against the reports by stating: “We all know who the real parasite is!” The forward had faced fresh criticism from the Madrid media after his starring role for Wales in their playoff win over Austria in March.
Bale’s fall from prominence at Real Madrid in recent years has been striking and he went six months without featuring for the club this season, although he regained fitness during the international breaks to represent Wales. He has suffered multiple fitness setbacks along the way, but he has become a peripheral player at the club.
The 32-year-old had appeared to be enjoying a new lease of life in the Spanish capital following the return of boss Carlo Ancelotti this summer. He started in all three of Madrid’s opening games of the campaign before being beset by fresh injury problems, limiting him to just two starts in the last eight month.
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The forward starting February’s draw at Villarreal and made a brief cameo substitute appearance against Getafe in April – a game in which was largely booed by the club’s fans upon his first appearance at the Santiago Bernabeu in over two years – but has not played any other league games since August.
Bale has won a total of 13 trophies at Real Madrid including two La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns. However, his game-time under both Zinedine Zidane and Ancelotti has significantly reduced in recent years – with his exit this summer at the end of his contract.
