Spanish media describe Gareth Bale as the 'worst performer' for Real Madrid in the 2-1 El Clasico defeat by Barcelona

Welshman played 61 uneventful minutes in the loss at the Nou Camp

Gareth Bale looks downbeat during Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat by Barcelona on Saturday (GETTY IMAGES)

Madrid-based newspaper Marca was far from impressed with Gareth Bale’s debut Clasico performance for Real Madrid, labelling the world’s most expensive player the away side’s “worst performer” in the 2-1 defeat at the Nou Camp, who “does not have enough spark”.

The Welshman’s £86m move from Tottenham to the La Liga side has been fraught with problems, most notably injuries, and after playing 61 uneventful minutes in the loss before being replaced, it seems the patience of the Spanish media is already wearing thin.

Ruben Jimenez of Marca described him as a “tense and late signing”, who did not take advantage of the international break in September soon after he joined to get himself back to fitness, instead travelling with Wales, where he made a 32-minute cameo in their 3-0 defeat against Serbia.

The newspaper has even suggested that Bale’s refusal to train with Spurs in August to force through his move has contributed to his poor form, calling it a “personal revolt”.

El Pais, meanwhile, said that Madrid play better when Bale is nowhere near his team-mates. “The team continue to play better when their star signing is not on the pitch,” it wrote.