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Gareth Bale has place in Real Madrid history

Gareth Bale has place in Real Madrid history
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says Gareth Bale has "entered the history of the club" as the Wales forward prepares to leave the Bernabeu.

The 32-year-old's contract ends this summer following nine years with Real.

Bale has won 14 trophies during that time, however his relationship with the club has deteriorated in recent years.

"He had problems and lately he hasn't played, but he's a player who has entered the history of the club with his titles and goals," Ancelotti said.

"He is fine, he's in good physical condition. He has shown that with his national team and he wants to show it here.

"He's confident, he wants to finish well with this club."

Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett told BBC Wales the player will wait until Wales' World Cup fate is settled before deciding on his club future.

He scored two brilliant goals in Wales' play-off semi-final win over Austria to take his nation a step closer to qualifying for a first World Cup since 1958.

Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham for a then world record £85m in 2013. His trophy haul includes four Champions League titles, including scoring one of European football's great goals to help Real Madrid overcome Liverpool in the 2018 final.

But he has played just four La Liga games and two Champions League matches so far this season, having returned to Tottenham on a season-long loan for the 2020-21 campaign.

He was described as a "parasite" in Spanish newspaper Marca and has received criticism in Madrid for being perceived to be more committed to playing for Wales than his club.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti on Friday said that Gareth Bale has written himself into the "history of the club" despite appearing set to leave at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old's contract finishes this year, after a campaign in which he has only played four La Liga games and two Champions League matches.

But Ancelotti says that Welshman Bale will always be remembered in Madrid, where he has won four Champions League crowns and two La Liga titles.

"He had problems and lately he hasn't played, but he's a player who has entered the history of the club with his titles and his goals," said the Italian coach.

"He is fine, he's in good physical condition. He has shown that with his national team and he wants to show it here.

"He's confident, he wants to finish well with this club."

Real Madrid host Getafe on Saturday, sitting 12 points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table with eight matches remaining.

The 13-time European champions are also well set to reach the Champions League semi-finals after beating Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier this week in the first leg of their last-eight tie.

Karim Benzema netted his second straight hat-trick in the competition on Wednesday and has now scored 37 goals in all competitions this season.

"He's one of the most important players at the club. He will still be in the future as he gets better with age, no matter who his teammates are," Ancelotti said of the 34-year-old France striker.

The 62-year-old Ancelotti would become the first manager in history to win all of Europe's top five leagues if Real can secure the title this season.

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