Gareth Bale
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atypical_boro
Well-known member
Well he's the manager, and one of the greatest players of all time, and one of THEIR greatest players of all time at that. Bale is neither.
The "Wales, golf, Madrid" stuff is neither endearing him to his fans nor his manager. Let's face it, the lad is all about the dough now. Once a great footballer, now just a capitalist. Fair play to him, he can do what he wants and good luck to him making loads of money, but he's trashing his football legacy day by day.
If he was willing to play for even a bit less, United or someone would be willing to cough up a fair fee and he'd be back playing in no time, Zidane woud love him off his hands. But he doesn't care about that anymore. His country's greatest ever footballer, practically retired at 31, what a shame.
TeaCider
Well-known member
He didn't bring that flag, and it is Zidane that has been repeatedly slating him in the media and allegedly left the first time because the club wouldn't get rid of Bale.
He's got issues with him, it's not just Gareth Bale spitting his dummy out.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
I know there are two sides to this, but there is one overarching fact that cannot be denied.
If he was willing to earn a little bit less, he would still be playing football at the top level somewhere. This simply cannot be denied.
Zidane has no obligation to pick him.
TeaCider
Well-known member
Of course he would, but he's 31 and earning an absolutely colossal wage in one of the best cities in the world.
It's Real Madrid's fault for offering him that wage, and Zidane's fault that he's not picking him.
He's not going to retire in Madrid, and he's not even going to get close to his current wage anywhere else, so I can understand why he's seeing it out.
He's not been treated well by fans, club or manager, and the only thing he's done "wrong" is earn a wage whilst not getting picked and played golf in his free time.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
This will hurt Gareth Bale far more than it will hurt Real Madrid. This is the bit he (and many others) doesn't seem to get in this battle of wills.
TeaCider
Well-known member
I'm sure he'll be sitting pretty with his tens of millions, he's injury prone and I can't see him being player who plays in to his late 30s.
boromike85
Well-known member
He doesn't but why isn't he picking him (not just this season)? It's not because he's not good enough. It's politics. Zidane got upset a few years back and blamed Bale and since then has treated him badly. Madrid could have got rid of him but messed it around at the last minute to try and make a small fee, instead he's going to cost them 3 years wages which massively outweighs that small fee.
Bale doesn't care. He's not one of those footballers that loves football and he's already won everything. It's a job. He loves playing for Wales and he enjoys playing golf. He'll continue to do that while getting paid a fortune. Madrid are the ones that gave him his ridiculous contract, they can't be annoyed that he doesn't want to leave for a paycut just because they've decided they don't want him anymore.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
Exactly. He's all about the dough. Didn't even make himself available to play in a Champions League quarter-final tonight.
No one's disputing his outstanding commercial acumen. But he's in the wrong job. He could be making himself a hero at Man Utd or Bayern Munich now, but instead he's sunning himself on a bed of Euro notes. How valiant.
boromike85
Well-known member
It definitely won't. Once his contract is up he'll be on a bosman and there are loads of clubs that will pay him another massive contract. Might not be as big as his current one but the next few years on his current deal plus a bosman will probably exceed a paycut to play elsewhere now.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
He'll be 33 and not have played for 3 years. No one will touch him for anything like what he's on now, unless he indeed does go to US or China. What a shame for his legacy.
Real Madrid's legacy, however, won't be damaged in the slightest.
TeaCider
Well-known member
boromike85
Well-known member
He doesn't care though so it won't damage him. It's not about Madrid's legacy, it's about money. They could've let him go to China and save £25m per season but decided to ask for £30m. They were going to save £75m over 3 seasons by not paying his wages. Asking for the other £30m which caused it to fall through was just being greedy. So now they are stuck paying him £75m instead.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
Well Bale will be suing him for libel then.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
I know its a battle of wills. As I say, I think its a shame he's lowered himself to their level, its only his football legacy that will be damaged by it. If he's content taking them 'to the cleaners' thats up to him but its a drop in the ocean to Madrid.
I'm disappointed in him for not putting football first. But its subjective and clearly depends which side of the fence you're on. Just my opinion.
festa5
Well-known member
Will
Not sure it will hurt him more though. He's won more than 99% of footballers achieve in their career. He'll always be idolised by Wales fans and will still get picked for Wales.
At 31 his best years are behind him. Madrid won't let him leave for free. Clubs aren't going to shell out a big fee and offer him anything close to his current salary, even with a pay cut.
I think it's a bit idealistic to say he should sacrifice millions to go and play for say, Man Utd for a couple of years and have an outside chance of winning the league, maybe win a domestic cup or two.
It's a shame because he's a great talent and on form good to watch. But he's already had an amazing career and some players retire at his age.
Easy to say as a fan that he should be desperate to play but from his position I can understand why he's sitting tight. He could go to a Man Utd or a Bayern, be underwhelming and his legacy would still be tarnished and he'd have sacrificed millions. Why take the chance?
Not sure it will hurt him more though. He's won more than 99% of footballers achieve in their career. He'll always be idolised by Wales fans and will still get picked for Wales.
At 31 his best years are behind him. Madrid won't let him leave for free. Clubs aren't going to shell out a big fee and offer him anything close to his current salary, even with a pay cut.
I think it's a bit idealistic to say he should sacrifice millions to go and play for say, Man Utd for a couple of years and have an outside chance of winning the league, maybe win a domestic cup or two.
It's a shame because he's a great talent and on form good to watch. But he's already had an amazing career and some players retire at his age.
Easy to say as a fan that he should be desperate to play but from his position I can understand why he's sitting tight. He could go to a Man Utd or a Bayern, be underwhelming and his legacy would still be tarnished and he'd have sacrificed millions. Why take the chance?
atypical_boro
Well-known member
Doesn't have to be Man Utd. Could be Bayern Munich or an Italian club. Just a shame he doesn't back himself to prove Zizou wrong. The truly great sportsmen would be dreaming of scoring the winner against Real Madrid in the CL final. Instead, he's basically a rich playboy and amateur golfer now.
He really should be trying to get as (match)fit as possible for the Euros for Wales' sake.
boromike85
Well-known member
I'm not on anyone's side. Two sets of millionaires arguing about money. **** em.
You'd like to think this sort of thing might make them think about the structure of footballers contracts. Paying so much guaranteed money for so long, no matter the performance is mental. I'd like to see salary caps, guaranteed/non-guaranteed portions of contracts tied to performance etc. There needs to be an overhaul because at the end of the day it is us fans that are paying for these millionaires to have their petty squabbles.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
Fully agree. In my first post on it I said this argument truly epitomises everything that's wrong with the game. An impasse about vast sums of money where football really isn't even involved in the debate. They're both as bad as each other imho. But I'm more disappointed in Bale than Real Madrid, from a personal perspective, because I expect nothing less from RM.