The relationship between Gareth Bale and Real Madrid (not to mention its supporters) has not always been the best. Especially these past couple of seasons which has seen him miss countless amounts of games due to constant injuries while recovering in time to play with the national team, having issues with the manager, and some off-field incidents that have frustrated the supporters and the club. It initially was thought to be just an issue with Zidane as it was well known that they did not get along and it looked like things had changed under Carlo Ancelotti, but his behavior continues to be the same.
Despite this, there is no question he has overall been a great signing and played an instrumental role in the club’s success in his period with the team. From incredible assists to scoring remarkable goals in clutch moments, he has made his mark and will go down as the most successful British player to have ever played for the club. However, what have been his greatest moments with the team? Here are his five greatest moments while playing for Real Madrid.
5. Dominance against Rayo Vallecano
In the 2015/2016 season, Real Madrid would record their biggest win in this millennium as they would go on to thrash Rayo Vallecano by a 10-2 scoreline. Despite Rayo having two players sent off, the team showed no mercy and completely made their mark. Important for Bale as he would score four goals in the game.
Although Real Madrid scored the opening goal through a Bale assist, Rayo overturn the result and took a 1-2 lead. However, Bale would equalize and then scored another to give the team the lead before halftime. In the second half, Bale would add another two goals and completed the historic 10-2 thrashing.
4. Penalty shootout against Atletico Madrid
Many of you are probably wondering why this is an important moment when a penalty kick is something routine for a player of his quality. That is correct, but it is when he stepped up to take a vital penalty while being injured. It is unknown whether the coaching staff knew about it, but he was determined to take a penalty and went on to score it without any issues. In fact, it was not until scoring it that he showed his injury as he limped back to the group.
Along with this, he was fundamental in Real Madrid’s opening goal as his header would find an open Sergio Ramos to give the team the lead. That would finish with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the game-winning penalty in the shootout and Real Madrid lifting their 11th Champions League title.
3. Champions League Final 2014
The player many remember in Real Madrid’s famous Champions League final victory against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon is Sergio Ramos with his clutch tying goal in stoppage time that sent the game into extra time. However, somebody who at times gets completely forgotten is Gareth Bale who just so happened to score the goal that gave Real Madrid the lead in extra time.
After Di Maria split through some Atletico defenders and had his initial shot saved by the keeper, the ball fell straight to Gareth Bale who headed it in from a difficult angle to give Real Madrid the lead. Real Madrid would eventually go on to the win the game and lift the long-awaited 10th Champions League title.
2. Copa del Rey Final against Barcelona
The 2013/2014 Copa del Rey final edition would witness an epic encounter as Real Madrid took on arch-rivals Barcelona. Real Madrid enter the game as favorites and made their presence known immediately when Di Maria scored early on. Real Madrid dominated the game and created several opportunities to finish them off. However, they did not take their chances and allowed Barcelona back into the game when Bartra equalized.
That is when Gareth Bale would step up and took the initiative. He attempted to round Bartra who push him off and seemed to disrupt the play. However, Bale did not allow that to put him off and went around Bartra to find himself alone in front of the keeper; brilliantly putting the ball past Pinto to give Real Madrid the lead. Los Blancos would thus come out victorious.
1. Champions League Final 2018
As expected, his greatest moment came in the Champions League final where Real Madrid would take on Liverpool as they attempted to achieve their third straight Champions League title. Despite being in good form and helping the team reach the final, he started the game from the bench. After a goalless opening half, the game would get more interesting in the second half after Benzema gave Real Madrid lead before Mane equalized for Liverpool.
That is when Gareth Bale came on and would immediately make an impact by scoring a stunning bicycle kick goal that gave Madrid the lead again and put them in full control. Liverpool never recovered from that moment and Bale would later add another just before the conclusion of the game. Real Madrid would claim yet another Champions League title and Gareth Bale would be given the Man of the Match award.