Madrid, April 10 (BNA): Gareth Bale was booed on Saturday as he made his debut at the Santiago Bernabeu in more than two years during Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Getafe.
The 32-year-old has made just four previous league matches for Real this season – all away – and his last home game was in February 2020 when Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Manchester City in the Champions League, reports Reuters.
In the past, Bale, who joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 for a record transfer fee of 100 million euros at the time, had confrontations with the club’s management and almost left in 2020 after losing his star with then coach Zinedine Zidane. .
However, recently he has suffered multiple setbacks in his physique and has been turned on by the fans as well as the local media.
“The boos are understandable but our fans need to understand that their support is also very important,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.
“Yes, Bale was booed but he is a serious professional, does a good job in training and if necessary he will play this last phase of the season. The fans have to understand that.”
Bale recently criticized Spanish newspaper Marca for comparing him to a “parasite” over allegations that he was sucking money out of the Spanish club.
Madrid’s media also accused him of faking a back injury after he missed Real Madrid’s 4-0 loss to Barcelona, but he then appeared with his country only four days later to score two goals to lead Wales to victory over Austria in a World Cup playoff match.
But Bale, who came on as a substitute midway through the second half on Saturday, still had the support of his Real Madrid teammates.
“We are all with Bale,” Real Madrid captain Marcelo said.
“It’s tough, it’s happened to a lot of people at the Santiago Bernabeu who have a very demanding fan base but we are all important.
“We are at the end of the season, we have a lot at stake, we have to help each other. It’s sad but we all have to go out there and do our best.”