Gareth Bale has 'mocked' Real Madrid, fume furious Spanish press

Injury set-back has triggered angry response

Gareth Bale (GETTY IMAGES)

Gareth Bale has been accused of "mocking" Real Madrid by sections of the Spanish media over his latest injury.

It was confirmed earlier this week that the Welshman, who was withdrawn at half-time in the 3-0 win over Levante at the weekend, has sustained a calf injury that will keep him out of action for three weeks. Among the games he will miss is this week's Champions League tie with PSG, the visit of the French champions early next month and a top-of-the-table clash with Celta Vigo.

The injury is a recurrence of an ongoing problem that would not have been helped by Bale's involvement in Wales' final two Euro 2016 qualifiers, the latter of which against Andorra being a dead-rubber with Wales already qualified.

The situation has triggered an angry response from sections of the Spanish media.

Real Madrid editor Tomas Roncero of Spanish sports daily AS wrote: "The injury to Bale is a real irritant to every proper Madrid fan.

"Where it’s bad luck we’ll always support a player so that they recover as quickly as possible. But you have mocked Real Madrid because you have prioritised your national team over the club that pays you.

“Be patriotic, love your country, but if you are already qualified you don’t need to go to the party against Andorra, and play 90 minutes on top of that. It’s inadmissible for a Real Madrid player."

Newspaper columnist Manu Sainz called Bale’s decision “a lack of respect” whilst journalist Roberto Morales said the decision to play against Andorra was “an act of total irresponsibility”.

Bale's involvement against Andorra was contrasted by Cristiano Ronaldo, who withdraw early from the Portugal set-up after they qualified for next summer's tournament in France.