Real Madrid: Why it’s best to have low expectations for Gareth Bale

Real Madrid right winger Gareth Bale looks set to return to the club for the 2021-2022 season. While Los Blancos will almost certainly try to move the Welsh international’s 30 million euro salary and are likely keenly aware of the (seemingly dubious) rumors of his retirement following the Euros, basic logic dictates that Real must be prepared to welcome Bale back with open arms.

How amicable that return will be depends upon Carlo Ancelotti. And since Ancelotti has a magnanimous personality and is known for being a Galactico-friendly manager (hence why he got the job in the first place), all signs point to Ancelotti being a positive influence on Bale.

Real were able to find a willing wage-share partner in a loan deal last season in the former of Bale’s old club Spurs. Maybe a renewed loan for the final year of Bale’s contract could happen, considering the forward scored 11 times in the Premier League, including two vital goals off the bench on the last Matchday against Leicester City. However, it is likely Spurs will want to keep the money instead.

And thus, Madridistas must be ready for Bale, who did not leave on positive terms after a woeful 2019-2020 season that included scenes of napping on the sidelines or a certain poster that caused WAY too much drama.

Gareth Bale doesn’t need any additional pressure at Real Madrid

I think Real Madrid fans – maybe not the certain vocal group within the stadium – are fine with a return. Bale scored a lot more goals than any other winger on the team did last season, and he’s given a LOT to this club. Therefore, I think fans will actually be optimistic that if he returns, he can compete for a starting spot and maybe even offer more than Marco Asensio.

The thing is, fans and especially analysts not as into LaLiga coverage need to make sure they don’t conflate this kind of hopeful optimism with actual expectations. Madridistas are, for the most part, going to be optimistic and want to “make nice” with Bale (again, excluding that certain segment of people), but the expectations for Bale should be at a minimum.

That’s not just because Bale played poorly in his last stint in Madrid, nor is it because of age or injury concerns. Those are all valid, but Bale was good last season and has real bounce-back potential under Ancelotti.

The main issue might actually be undue pressure. At this stage of his career, Bale just wants to enjoy his football before hanging up his cleats. He doesn’t want the jeers, the boos, the media scrutiny, and the discussions about his attitude or whatever.

There is no Cristiano Ronaldo to shield Gareth Bale as before

What Bale wants to do is play, produce, and lighten up. That’s seemingly impossible at Real Madrid, but let’s not forget a very important press conference early in Bale’s tenure in Madrid after becoming THE record-breaking signing.

I think you know what I’m talking about. The “leave him alone” press conference, when Cristiano Ronaldo uttered those words as a way of drawing a line to the press that they should not push Bale too far or overreact. It was a statement of support from Ronaldo regarding Bale. Ronaldo had confidence in his fellow Galactico and knew that Bale would be one of the Real Madrid greats, helping him write another highly successful period in the club’s history. But CR7 also knew that Bale is the kind of player who needs this public support and shielding from the media, which would not be as kind to him in Spain as in the United Kingdom.

Where was that for Bale in 2019-2020? There was no Ronaldo to help shield him. No big statements of support. And, worst of all, no real production. So Bale was a sitting duck to the unfriendly media fire in Madrid.

But without expectations. Without undue pressure, wild scrutiny, and baseless speculation, perhaps Bale can get into a groove, just as he did in the second half of the season with Spurs. Bale is a player who must be treated a little differently from the others at Real Madrid, and that includes the fanbase.

So don’t pin any hopes or talk yourself into Bale having a big season. Go into the campaign with little-to-no expectations and let Bale relax so that he can pleasantly surprise you under the patient eye of Don Carlo.