Real Madrid right winger Gareth Bale will no longer be a part of the team after the 2021/22 season, as his contract will run out. As a whole, that is a net positive for Madrid, because Bale earns significant wages that must be relieved in order for Real to move forward with the kind of star-powered transfers they want up front.
But sentimentally, seeing Bale go will be tough for many Madridistas. What Bale has accomplished in his time with the club is nothing short of remarkable, as he helped Madrid reach another level as the third Galactico with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
What may hurt Madridistas the most, though, is that Bale, as he showed for Wales recently, can still offer something to Real Madrid. He could still be an option on the right wing.
Here are three players Bale is still better than, even as he ends the near of his club career.
RW Marco Asensio
Let’s compare him to a player at the same position and with the same stronger foot, Marco Asensio. Though Asensio can be applauded for scoring 10 goals with 1 assist this season for an average of 0.60 combined goals and assists per 90, those numbers are actually nowhere near what Gareth Bale produced on loan at Tottenham last season when he last had a significant first-team role.
Bale had 16 goals and 4 assists in all competitions, averaging 1.08 goals and assists per 90. Could you imagine that production up top with the numbers Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr. have been producing at their respective positions this season? Real Madrid would have a hell of a trident.
Granted, Bale has been playing much better for Spurs and Wales than for Madrid. There is tension between Madrid and Bale, and a lot of that is on the club. Carlo Ancelotti and Florentino Perez could have eased some of that this season, but, unfortunately, Bale has not truly been reintegrated into the lineup.