Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale needs a confidence boost
Gareth Bale has had his fair share of struggles with Real Madrid suffering multiple injuries, but does he need to change his mindset as well?
Just a few days ago, we talked about Gareth Bale’s lack of productivity at Real Madrid and whether the clock was ticking for the winger. His inability to score goals and make a meaningful impact on this team has made fans lose patience. More importantly, is it worth having such an expensive player who doesn’t score tons of goals on the team?
This season, Bale has played 16 games, 12 of which in La Liga, three in the Champions League, and one in the UEFA Super Cup. Having accumulated 1,269 minutes on the pitch, he has bagged six goals and five assists.
Those stats may seem decent, and they are, six goals and five assists aren’t all that bad but when you’re supposed to be the face of the club and a “Galactico”, that just doesn’t cut it. In La Liga which is, of course, the bulk of the season, Bale hasn’t been all that fruitful.
The number 11 has participated in all but one match during this league campaign but has registered only three goals over 12 games and 911 minutes. That means he has scored once every 304 minutes.
Unfortunately, that stat would be a compliment to his recent form. September 15, was the last time the Welshman netted from league play.
With the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, it was evident that the club would be looking to Gareth Bale to be the go-to man.
Sadly, that hasn’t happened enough thus far. Sure, it’s not for a lack of trying. Many have assessed his gameplay, others have looked at his physical fitness as being a crutch to his ability. But what about the mental aspect of the game?
Confidence is key in anything. Not just football.
It seems that the Gareth Bale that we see with the Welsh National Team is very different from the Gareth Bale we see with Real Madrid. There’s no question that Gareth has had some big moments with Real Madrid, but the lack of consistency is what is dragging his stature down.
During Ronaldo’s reign at Real Madrid, he flaunted around the Bernabéu with the confidence required, some even saw it as egotistical or arrogant.
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Since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Gareth Bale has played 35 competitive matches with the Welsh National Team. Those matches are a mix of qualifiers, World Cup, Euro Cup, and China Cup games. In the 35 competitive games, he has scored 23 times.
Bale’s form and function with Wales are incredible, as it should be. During the 2016 Euro Cup in France, it was calculated that Gareth Bale has wages and a market value that surpassed the rest of the national team combined. When a number like that is pieced together you better be contributing.
What I find astounding though, isn’t just his ability to put up numbers, but his leadership skills. Bale put’s the team on his back, motivates them, gives direction and takes charge.
With Real Madrid, that is something that is lacking. You could argue he’s not Spanish, he isn’t homegrown, but neither was Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bale got the ball rolling into the back of the net Tuesday against Roma on Matchday 5 of the Champions League group stage, but that needs to continue on Saturday and every day after that.
Being strong in the UCL is all fine and dandy but it’s the long haul where the team needs him most.
Hopefully, this goal and securing the top spot in the group will do him a world of good and elevate his game. The 29-year-old is at a stage in his life where leadership and guidance will separate him from the pack.