May 02, (THEWILL) – Real Madrid has confirmed Gareth Bale’s back injury through tests conducted, which was the cause for the player’s absence from the club’s La Liga title celebrations on Saturday.
Bale was not there at the Bernabeu on Saturday as Los Blancos won their 35th Spanish title and were presented with the trophy after defeating Espanyol 4-0. Later that day, the 32-year-old tweeted in support of his teammates, stating that his absence was due to a back issue.
Bale said: “So disappointed that I’m not able to be part of the celebrations this evening due to a bad back spasm, but really proud of the team for winning the title!”
In recent years, Bale’s relationship with Real Madrid fans and the Spanish press has been tense. Due to injuries and fitness issues, his game time has been severely limited, and fans have been vocal over his absence at such a crucial time of the season, with some even questioning his claims.
However, Bale indeed visited the club’s facilities on Sunday morning for testing, which verified the back problem. According to reports, he then went to the physio department to begin treatment.
Bale’s Real Madrid contract expires next month, and he will become a free agent, concluding a nine-year association with the club that began with a world-record signing in 2013.
Jonathan Barnett, the player’s agent, said that no decision about the subsequent steps had been reached as of early April. Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Cardiff City, have been linked.
Bale’s ultimate goal is to play for Wales in the World Cup. Only a game against either Scotland or Ukraine in June lies between them and a spot in the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, which would be the country’s first since 1958.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
