Real Madrid fans gave Gareth Bale quite the greeting
Real Madrid right winger Gareth Bale knew he would be in for a rough night of heckling from the Bernabeu faithful on Saturday, and the whistling was boisterous when he made his introduction into the game.
With Real Madrid up 2-1, manager Zinedine Zidane decided to give Gareth Bale a good 20 minutes of action. He substituted Rodrygo for Bale, as Rodrygo had been relatively quiet in this big Matchday 14 battle against fourth-placed Real Sociedad.
From the moment Bale started warming up on the touchline in preparation for his entrance to the game, he received whistles and jeers from the Santiago Bernabeu crowd. And when he officially entered the pitch for Rodrygo, the boos were thunderous. It was insane.
Bale’s heel turn is complete. Every time he touched the ball, Madrid fans in the stands whistled him. They were especially ruthless when he made a minor error, even though the play was offsides anyway.
The fans brought in banners to greet Bale, including this one poking fun at the banner a teammates made for him during the international break for Wales.
"Rodrygo - Vini - Lucas - Bale"@realmadriden fans welcome @GarethBale11 back to the Bernabeu pic.twitter.com/M6RnoWqOuk
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) November 23, 2019
🏴🏌♂⚪
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) November 23, 2019
🙈 Gareth Bale is welcomed into the game by whistles from all around the Bernabeu! pic.twitter.com/PSk82cBDQx
In a dream world, Real Madrid fans and the media would patch thing up with Bale, and the veteran forward would return to his world-class form for Los Blancos. But at this point, it looks like a split is likely, whether that happens in the winter or next summer.
That said, Real fans can’t boo Bale forever. He is a club legend, and most fans seem to understand his importance to the club over the last several years. While Bale has played well this season, if he turns up his performances from “good” to “great” before 2019 ends, then the booing should subside and anything is possible thereafter.
Next. Analyzing Real Madrid's turnaround in form. dark
At 30, Bale may need to leave so that the likes of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior can sign, or so that Real can purchase Kylian Mbappe as his superstar replacement. Regardless, Real needs Bale to play well, and the fans need to give him a chance.
It was satisfying to see Bale set up Luka Modric for an exquisite volleyed finish to make it 3-1.