Gareth Bale is one of the most clutch players in football history. He has scored some of the most important goals for Real Madrid over the years, including an unforgettable bicycle kick in a Champions League Final against Liverpool and the go-ahead goal in the extra time of La Decima to help sink rivals Atletico Madrid. Bale is the master of Champions League Finals.
Madridistas have been whispering about Bale “running it back” in the second half of the 2021/22 season, having shown flashes of his quality in some matches this season. And they all saw what he has done for Wales in recent games.
Bale, though, did not play at all to finish the LaLiga season. He was not even in the squad in the match that sealed the league title against Espanyol, as he did not get to celebrate due to a “back spasm”. The same story happened in what should have been his farewell at the Santiago Bernabeu on Friday night against Real Betis; Bale was not ready to be in the squad.
At the press conference after the match, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti addressed Bale’s absence, and he did so by adding something surprising. He said that Bale could have his big chance in the Champions League Final against Liverpool.
Should Gareth Bale get a chance off the bench for Real Madrid vs. Liverpool?
🎙| Ancelotti: "Gareth Bale wanted to say goodbye tonight but he couldn't. He will have his chance during the final because I think he will be ready (to play)."
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) May 20, 2022
Considering what happened the last time he played Liverpool in a Champions League Final, Gareth Bale really would be “running it back” if he did play.
But Madridistas are likely not taking this quote from Ancelotti seriously. I mean, how could Bale play when he may not even be match fit? He has not played in months! It would be such a risk, especially since Real have other players they can count on. Rodrygo Goes, for example, is developing quite the clutch reputation of his own in the Champions League. He can play the same position as Bale on the right wing.
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Nevertheless, it is huge for Ancelotti to tease this. Is he just keeping Jurgen Klopp on his toes? I am not sure, but we are talking about a man who said Dani Ceballos would be important, and then backed that up months later when everyone least expected it. So the Bale chapter may not be 100 percent over yet. There is a chance, small as it may be.