A Spanish journalist launched into an impassioned tirade live on TV over Gareth Bale's latest injury setback.
Spanish media once again took aim at the Wales captain after he was named in the starting line-up to take on Belarus on Saturday, having not played a single minute of football in two months - since the 0-0 draw with Estonia in Cardiff City Stadium back in September.
He has played just three matches for Real Madrid this season, leading to growing frustration in the Spanish capital, and one pundit in particular as hit out at Bale seemingly making himself available for Wales despite his chequered injury history with Los Blancos.
AS reporter Tomás Roncero, appearing on El Chiringuito TV, fumed at Bale's injury record and claimed he used the club's Valdebebas training centre simply to ready himself for international duty with Wales.
"What happened with Bale did annoy me a lot, when I found out that he's got another injury," he began.
"One time it's the calf, then the soleus, then he has a pain in his right earlobe. I sense that he thinks 'I'll use Real Madrid to carry out my life and be happier when I go to Wales.'
"Bale thinks 'I have a type of spa here at Valdebebas, an extraordinary one as it's the best in the world'. There, he prepares his body with the physios Real Madrid pay for.
"Then, when he starts to feel strong and powerful, when the date approaches for going to Cardiff, it's like when the wedding approaches for the bride. It's the day when he puts on his best clothes and gets on the plane.
"And Bale says to the physios, doctors, Carletto and team-mates, 'Hey, bye, bye, bye, bye'.
"He's only ever seen at Valdebebas, or, let's call it, Bye-Bale-debebas. You never see him playing on the actual pitch.
"The last time he played I was wearing short sleeves! People were going to all the swimming pools of Spain and still on holiday.
"We don't know when he'll play again, but we might be cutting the turkey at the Christmas dinner.
"When my father asks for the umpteenth time, 'When will Bale play?', I'll have to say, 'Father, I don't know'. I'll say, 'You could retire three times before this guy plays for Real Madrid again'."
Bale is of course adored in this corner of the world. He earned his 100th cap for his country against Belarus and was rightly honoured with tributes and praise for his contribution to the Welsh shirt.
Bale himself spoke of how the media in this country were kinder to him and the Wales team than in other corners of the world.
"Wales has that extra special thing – we have that connection with the fans. We were all fans growing up," he said.
"We always loved to go to watch Wales and wanted them to do well.
"When a fan plays for your own national team you kind of bring that passion with you. It is hard to describe the feeling of playing for Wales.
"It is such a special country. It is such a special bond between the players, the staff, the fans, and even the media are a little bit nicer to us … it is just a special country to be a part of. I’m very proud and honoured to be a Welshman."
The forward is expected to be out of action for three weeks with his latest calf problem.
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