Euro: Gareth Bale's enchanting parentheses with Wales

Gareth Bale's career is definitely not linear. After a failed first match, crossed like a ghost during the inaugural match against Switzerland (1-1), the Welsh captain was elected man of the match on the occasion of the. All while having swung a penalty in the stands. But after two brilliant assists and five clear chances provoked, a record since 1980 according to the statisticians of Opta, the 31-year-old winger was indeed the X factor of his team. "

," said teammate Joe Morrell after the game, where Bale's contained glee contrasted with the Dragons' outpouring of joy

"

"

" smiled the person, all proud with his imposing "

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trophy

. The feeling of duty accomplished. Because before going to challenge Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Rome this Sunday (6 p.m.), on the third day, Wales (2nd in group A with 4 points) is in a very good position to secure a second qualification for the next round after the unexpected epic of Euro 2016, where Bale & co broke into the semifinals, stopped by Portugal (0-2).

A dream course which already bore the seal of the top scorer in the history of the selection (33 goals in 94 selections), who had struck in each of the group matches. At the top as soon as he puts on his country's red tunic, the Madrilenian seems to come back to life each time he is called upon to represent his people. A feeling light years away from the spleen that he dragged for a long time to Real Madrid before being loaned this season to Tottenham, the club where he had revealed himself. "

" he confessed in November 2019 when qualifying for the Euro, the night he hit the headlines by displaying a flag of the country with the logo. the words “

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His future in football remains uncertain

Commonly known, the Cardiff native's affection for golf fueled the wildest rumors ahead of the competition.

Thus, the Iberian media

, taken up in the entirety of the British press, expressed the desire of the player who was once worth 100 million euros to negotiate an early end of contract at Real Madrid, where he is under contract. until June 2022. And this with a view to devoting himself professionally to golf, which he practices with a handicap of 3 or even 4.

"

" he cut ahead of the competition. Adept at times explosive outings, the Welsh striker did not surprise anyone this time, since he had announced on

book the announcement of his future destination after the competition. The departure of Zinédine Zidane, who had gradually sidelined him at Real, and the return of Carlo Ancelotti, who recruited him in 2013, could reshuffle the cards in favor of a return to the Merengue, still hypothetical a few months ago. . Unless he extends his lease with Tottenham, where he ended the season with a bang (11 goals in 20 matches) but where his considerable emoluments (700,000 euros per week) are likely to put off Daniel Levy, the president of the Spurs. "

", he notes himself. It would be a shame to stop there.