Real Madrid star Gareth Bale may be struggling at the club level of late, but, as they say, he’s still got it.
After two goals and an assist yesterday against Israel, including a stunning free-kick that left both the goalkeeper and fans flabbergasted, the electric playmaker was adamant about making sure those who oppose his style of play in the Spanish capital are well aware where his mind is.
“I don’t need to answer the critics,’' Bale said after his stellar international game. “I know, and everyone around me knows, what I can do.”
“There are ups and downs in football, you have to take it with a pinch of salt and all you can do is respond with your performances on the pitch, like that. I don’t feel I need to prove anyone wrong or right, I just need to play my football. I love playing for Wales. It’s a big honor and the most important thing is I focus on my football and I don’t listen to anyone else or what they’re saying. I’m just enjoying my football with the boys.’'
Despite the positive performance for Wales, Bale still has just two goals for Real Madrid since late January - both coming in a 2-0 win over Levante, which was followed up by a performance in El Clasico that many believed was a regression back to another half-hearted, lackluster effort. It’s sent the English and Spanish papers into a frenzy, with many claiming Real Madrid is already set to call mark it a failure and dump him at the first possible chance.