Gareth Bale's Real Madrid transfer fee has created a "fantasy" – Jorge Valdano

Posted Wednesday, October 31, 2018 by squawka.com

Gareth Bale's Real Madrid transfer fee has created a

Former Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano has said Gareth Bale is partly to blame for Julen Lopetegui's sacking, suggesting the Welshman being a superstar is a "fantasy".

Bale played 77 minutes as Madrid lost Sunday's Clasico 5-1 against Barcelona, which ultimately resulted in the champions of Europe parting ways with Lopetegui.

The former Tottenham star has won four Champions League titles in five seasons with Real Madrid, scoring 92 goals in 201 appearances along the way.

However, much of his time at the Bernabeu has been disrupted by injuries and form issues, and Valdano believes Bale has not been worthy of the reported £86m Madrid spent on him.

"We continue to measure Bale based on his price," Valdano told Radio MARCA. "His price tag has created a fantasy that he is a world superstar.

"But the last five years don't correspond to what Real Madrid paid for him, even if every season he is applauded for scoring the goal of the year.

"After seven minutes [against Barcelona] Bale left Jordi Alba alone. At first they (star players) respect the tactics, but then their nature is shown.

"They think they have the authority to do what they want even if it goes against the collective."

Can Bale replace Ronaldo?

Gareth Bale's Real Madrid transfer fee has created a

Bale enjoyed his best goalscoring campaign for Madrid in his first season at the club, finding the net 22 times in 44 appearances across all competitions.

He almost matched that last term with 21 goals in 39 games, but Bale has never hit 20 goals in a single La Liga season – perhaps because he has never played more than 31 league matches due to injuries.

The 29-year-old has been expected to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 44 goals in 44 games across all competitions in his final season at Madrid.

Bale will be hoping to score his fourth La Liga goal of the campaign when Madrid take on Valladolid this weekend.