Wales captain Gareth Bale is in contention for Real Madrid’s Champions League final against Liverpool on Saturday after returning to fitness. Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the 32-year-old and Eden Hazard are back in training ahead of the game in Paris. In what would be his last Real game, Bale could equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of five Champions League wins should they win the title.
Gareth Bale may not play Champions League Final Against Liverpool
Carlo Ancelotti said: “Hazard is training well, he can play in the final, Bale can play too, everyone is motivated.” A back problem has kept Gareth Bale out of Real’s end-of-season run-in but, after playing only 20 minutes for the Spanish champions since Wales last played in March, a chance to appear on Europe’s biggest club stage beckons.
If so, that will end his playing days for Real Madrid as his contract expires at the end of this season. He will wait until Wales has played their World Cup play-off final on 5 June before deciding on his future. Gareth Bale is expected to receive numerous offers to continue at the club level with his hometown team Cardiff City an option in some people’s eyes, including Wales boss Robert Page.
He has been linked with a return to Tottenham as well as a move to Major League Soccer in the United States, while rumors persist he may consider retiring if Wales fails to qualify for the finals in Qatar. But whatever the future holds for Bale, Real Madrid assistant coach Davide Ancelotti – son of Carlo – insists the Welshman’s place in the club’s history is secure. He said: “Gareth is a guy that is loved around the place, from the coaching staff to his teammates.” “This season he has struggled with injuries but we are happy to have him available for the final.
“He already gave a lot of trophies to Real Madrid and has a chance to give the club another one. “He has written the history of the club because, if you see the pictures of the trophies in the big moments of Real Madrid, there is Gareth and, of course, he will be remembered there.”
