Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has jumped to the defence of Tottenham Hotspur loanee Gareth Bale, claiming that his Real Madrid successes “have been forgotten”.
Modric also played alongside Bale at Spurs and has highlighted Los Blancos had no problems with the Welshman in the dressing room.
Bale made the move to the Bernabeu in 2013 for a world-record transfer fee of £85 million, and since returned to Spurs on loan following a turbulent couple of seasons.
Luka Modric Hits Out at Treatment of Gareth Bale Following Loan Move
Remembering the Good Times
Since making the move to La Liga in 2013, Bale has been a part of a dynasty in Madrid. The 31-year-old has been a part of four Champions League titles, famously scoring one of the most iconic goals in history against Liverpool in the 2018 final in Kiev.
But in recent months, Bale’s Madrid career appeared to have hit a wall, with supporters on his back and the relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane deteriorating.
Now, former teammate Luka Modric has leapt to the Welshman’s defence, rubbishing claims that Bale made little effort to integrate with the squad and that his successes should be remembered.
“I have been with Gareth most of my professional life and he is a spectacular guy,” Modric told Spanish outlet El Partidazo de COPE. “He is shy, similar to me.
“What has been said about him is not fair. What he has done at Madrid is something impressive. He will always be remembered as a player who has done a lot for the club.
“We have never had any problems in the dressing room, he is a wonderful boy. He spoke Spanish, he joked with us.
“In recent years many things have come out and they have forgotten what he has done. When time passes they will remember him and how important he is.”
Future at Spurs?
Rumours of Bale returning to Spurs surfaced every transfer window, but nothing would usually come of it. But now, the Welshman finally getting the move away he wanted can have huge connotations for both player and organisation.
Spurs will be adding a talent that has performed on all fronts and familiar to the tests of the Premier League. His arrival into an environment where he is adored by fans should make the transition much easier.
After arriving back in north London, Bale said he had “no regrets” about making the move from Madrid. He also added he is looking forward to “just playing football” when opportunities came at an eventual premium.
Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, admitted the Welshman’s time in Madrid was running out, hinting his future could lie at Spurs.
“There are lots of opportunities. It’s up to him,” Barnett told talkSPORT last month.
“The most important thing is for him to enjoy his football and that he’s playing well. As long as that’s happening, it’ll all be fine.
“He’s a mature man now and he knows what he wants out of life.
“He’s probably the most successful footballer Britain has ever produced. There are lots of things he still wants to do with his life, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
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