Rio Ferdinand has claimed that the ‘lack of respect’ shown towards Tottenham transfer target Gareth Bale at Real Madrid has been ‘unreal’, as he told Vibe with Five.
The former Manchester United defender was talking about loyalty in the game and the ‘lack of respect’ shown and whether that disrespect comes from players or the club.
Either way, Bale, who is being linked with a return to Spurs this summer, had a pretty eventful and drama-filled decade in the colours of Real Madrid.
From his stunning overhead kick against Liverpool in the Champions League final to his banner where he put golf over Madrid – all in all, his time at the La Liga giants, which will end this month, finished in a pretty toxic manner.
Ferdinand just can’t believe how Bale was treated during certain periods of his time at Madrid given the ‘mind-blowing’ moments he produced.
“That’s where I think there has been a lack of loyalty with him,” said Ferdinand. “I feel like he has been painted as this negative and bad egg in that dressing room.
“The guy has put up some of the most iconic moments in Real Madrid history in some of the biggest games that are possible to be had at club level, yet my man has been ushered out under a blanket and told ‘don’t come back’.
“It’s unbelievable. The lack of respect is unreal. I can’t believe it. If there are fans who feel a certain way about him, the club should be overriding this by saying ‘no, no, you come with us. We support you. What he has done for us will never ever be forgotten’.
“It’s a joke. Four Champions League’s he has won. The overhead kick against Liverpool. The kid is doing stuff that is blowing your mind – I think Gareth Bale has been unfairly treated.”
BALE WILL EARN MORE RESPECT ONCE HE’S RETIRED
It’s a shame that Bale doesn’t get the respect he deserves whilst he is currently playing, but it will probably come once he hangs up his boots.
The Wales international, who helped guide his nation to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will probably get that respect when his magical moments get compared to what happens in the future.
And, in truth, not many are going to score overhead kicks in a Champions League final, but now it’s time for Bale to write the final chapter of his career.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if he retires in the colours of his country at the World Cup in Qatar, but in the meantime, he does need another club to play for next season in order to keep his body ticking over.
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