Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has promised to “come back stronger” next season and quashed media speculation he might leave the club he joined in 2013 for a world-record fee.
The Wales international had a disappointing second year in Spain as his team failed to win a major trophy, prompting the sacking of coach Carlo Ancelotti on Monday.
Whistled by some fans at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu, Bale’s agent raised eyebrows this month when he complained that the 25-year-old’s teammates were not passing the ball to him enough. Bale has also been criticized for what some perceive as selfishness in front of goal.
Photo: AFP
Reports in England have suggested he might leave, with Manchester United apparently interested in signing the former Tottenham Hotspur man.
However, Bale took to Twitter on Tuesday to say he would be vying for titles again with the world’s richest club by income.
“Not the end of the season we had hoped for, we always want to win trophies. Will be working hard in the off season and looking forward to coming back next season stronger with @realmadrid,” Bale wrote.
Bale’s woes have marked a startling turnaround for a player who scored in the finals of the UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey last season.
He has scored 17 goals in 48 outings in all competitions this season, compared with 22 in 44 appearances in 2013-2014.
Bale has also produced slightly fewer assists, setting up 11 goals for teammates after 12 the previous season.
The statistics are similar, but according to a survey of 725 Real members conducted by market research firm SigmaDos for theMarca sports daily, Bale rated five out of 10 for the season.
That compared unfavorably with Portuguese teammate Cristiano Ronaldo who scored 7.8 after netting a La Liga-best 48 goals and 61 in all competitions.
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