Hours before facing Poland in search of a place in the World Cup in Qatar, Gareth Bale wanted to say goodbye to the club and the Madrid fans through a letter he published on his social networks. In the letter, published in both English and Spanish, the Welsh attacker thanks his teammates, board and fans for his time with the white team.
The letter, which is headed by a Real Madrid shield, reads as follows:
I am writing this message to thank all my teammates, past and present, my coaches, all the club’s workers and the fans who have supported me throughout this time.
I arrived here 9 years ago as a young man who wanted to make my dream of playing for Real Madrid come true. Wear the glorious white kit, carry the shield on my chest, play at the Santiago Bernabéu, win titles and be part of what is so famous and attainable by just a few, winning the Champions League.
Now I can look back, reflect and honestly say that this dream came true and much, much more.
Being part of the history of this club and achieving everything we have achieved together at Real Madrid has been an incredible experience that I will never forget.
I also want to thank the President, Florentino Pérez, José Ángel Sánchez, and the Board, for giving me the opportunity to play for this club, together we have been able to create moments that will form part of the history of this club and of football.
It has been an honour.
¡Gracias!
¡HALA MADRID!
Gareth Bale arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2013 after paying just over 100 million to Tottenham for him. The Welshman, in his first season, was key to winning the Copa del Rey against Barcelona, in which he scored a great goal after traveling almost 60 metres, leaving Bartra behind before beating Pinto, and also in the Décima, by head the second goal for the whites.
But little by little it was losing prominence. His injuries and gradually separating from his teammates something that was fueling his bad relationship with Zidane, who never forgave him a gesture in 2017. With Madrid playing the League and the Champions League, the Welshman swore to him and perjured that he was available to play a Clásico, but at 39 minutes he had to ask for the change, something that irritated the French coach. Since then, his trajectory and his influence have been diminishing. After renewing until 2022, and seeing his subsequent results, the club has made no move to extend his contract.