The last two weeks have been good at describing the phenomenon called Gareth Bale.
He initially stayed out of the Real Madrid squad for the Clasico against Barcelona claiming he was unfit due to back problems, and a few days later sent the Wales squad to the World Cup play-off final with a dream duo indicating record fitness.
At the weekend against Salta Vigo again remained on the bench for 90 minutes, although Real did not shine offensively.
Tonight, when Real host Chelsea in the first game of the Champions League quarter-finals, the question is again asked which version of the Welshman will appear in the game, if at all.
Will Mr Bale be given a chance to play on English soil, after pictures of him training vigorously appeared on the team's website?
Or maybe Dr. Gareth would sit on the bench again with no action and no interest?
Splitting Bale's personality is nothing new.
For several years now the Welshman has been at the bottom of the hierarchy at Real Madrid raising hands, hoping he will lift his legs and run.
All this while at the same time, in the Wales team he is an anchor, star and superstar.
Celebrating in the team uniform, Photo: AFP
5 goals in 35 games
In numbers it looks like this: Since August, Bale has played 77 minutes for Real and has not scored, while in the national uniform he has played 234 minutes during that time, which have included the team's two important goals in recent years.
In the last four games for the team, Bale has scored five goals, while in Real his last five goals are spread over 35 games.
The gap in output is so large - Bale has been a partner in 80 per cent of Wales' games in the last four years, compared to 40 per cent of Real's games, which sometimes seem like medicine in both places.
Bale could have been injured in Real, but Peaks in Wales at that point in time.
"He enjoys playing for his country," said teammate Arun Ramsey at the end of the win over Austria.
In these brief things of Ramsey probably lies the essence of the story.
Bale is still an excellent player, as evidenced by his performance in the national team.
At Real Madrid, too, he has done great things since arriving in 2013 as the most valuable player in the world, including goals in the 2014 and 2018 Champions League finals, so it is safe to assume that his status in Madrid is not solely for professional reasons.
Of course there were injuries that took him out of rhythm and impaired his physical abilities, but there is clearly much beyond that.
Bale will leave Real Madrid on a free.
His agent Jonathan Barnett tells @DeportesCuatro: “Bale deserves a grand farewell by the club, Florentino has always supported him” ⚪️ #RealMadrid
“Bale loves the city of Madrid & Real a lot, 'parasites' are the ones that speak ill of him ”.
pic.twitter.com/NFrWO51ziP
- Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 5, 2022
"I do not have to prove anything to anyone, it's a fly in the ointment," Bale wrote in a long post after the duo against Austria, presenting his version of the split personality.
The Welshman referred things mainly to the Spanish media: "I am witnessing the price that the media charges from the physical and mental condition of people. Instead of pitying athletes - they are being torn to pieces."
In simple words, Bale explained that in Spain he feels an underappreciated "parasite", which could explain the lack of desire to give Real what he gives to the Wales team.
Real, which has been aware of this situation since 2018 and tried to loan it to Tottenham, is currently lowering the flames.
After failing to sell Bale due to his astronomical salary, she just quietly waits for the contract to end at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti zigzags between compliments and commitment from the Welshman, but at the same time does not give him minutes of play.
Even explaining the health condition of the Italian coach Bale is not really successful.
For Real, Bale was supposed to quietly quiet down and leave in the summer, but the last few days may have changed plans.
When the desire to avenge Chelsea for the loss in the semi-finals last season is very great, and in light of the Welshman's goals in the national team, it is not impossible that Bale will be a Real Madrid player tonight for all intents and purposes.
On the other hand, it could very well be that it is not.
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