Although both sides would like to finish the season above their neighbors, that is clearly of secondary importance over the possibility of winning an European title, and if Bale is going to play in a game which is of secondary importance, that speaks volumes about his current role in the team.

A Spanish TV reporter close to Madrid President, Florentino Perez, used his show on Monday to criticize Bale despite his weekend brace, highlighting the fact that Madrid want to sell a player of undoubted talent , but who is seen as too fragile due to a long line of muscle injuries.

In a dressing room with a powerful work ethic, some of Bale's teammates also wonder whether he is too 'precious' about avoiding injury and prefers not to play when they would play through the pain barrier, while his continued inability (or refusal) to learn any more than a basic level of Spanish after almost four years in Spain has also been a barrier to his full integration in the squad.

Despite his problems in Madrid, there is no doubt that Bale is still a wanted man in the English Premier League and Manchester United pushed strongly to try and sign him last summer, offering a high fee and tempting wages, but although Real Madrid would like to sell him in order to buy a new striker this coming summer, there is a major problem: Bale himself.

Even though he is not first choice in big games and questioned by some of his companions, Bale says he is happy in Spain. He likes the sun, he likes the warn weather, the lifestyle and the local golf courses and his family are settled in their luxury home on the outskirts of the capital.

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