Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has described Gareth Bale as ‘the best professional he’s seen in his life’.
And the ex-Bernabeu chief has called for all Los Blancos fans to use this moment to celebrate what he did for the club, admitting Bale was treated ‘unfairly’ by supporters due to comparisons with the great Cristiano Ronaldo.
GETTY7Bale announced his retirement from football on Monday
GETTY7Bale won five Champions Leagues at Real and three league titles in a glittering LaLiga career
The Welsh football legend announced his retirement from club and international football on Monday, having made his professional debut for Southampton in April 2006 aged 16.
Since then, he has gone on to shine for the likes of Tottenham, Real Madrid, LAFC and of course, his beloved Wales.
His time in Madrid between 2013 and 2022 was his most successful, winning three LaLiga titles and an incredible five Champions League winners’ medals.
Calderon, who was a director at the Santiago Bernabeu between 2001 and 2006 and then club president from 2006 and 2009, believes Bale will be remembered fondly for his time at Madrid.
Speaking to talkSPORT Breakfast, Calderon said: “He’s had an amazing career and it’s a pity to consider that he’s only 33. Players like him can play to 36 or 37 but I suppose you have to consider if he’s not in good shape anymore.
“When he came here fans welcomed him with open arms and he arrived with the title of MVP in the Premier League and so expectations were very high and there were two different periods here.
GETTY7Bale completed a big move to Madrid in 2013 following a stellar career with Spurs
“The first one was really good. He played over 40 matches but the only problem was that he came here just after Cristiano [Ronaldo] having paid a higher transfer fee for him.
“That was a handicap, really, because fans and media tried to compare both players and at that time Cristiano was unstoppable, in every sense, on the pitch.
“He performed amazingly in many matches. He was one of those players who was welcomed with open arms, but he had ups and downs.
“The injuries were a problem for him but he’s one of those players. I met him in Qatar and I told him that perhaps he’s the best professional I’ve met in my life.
“I know he had problems here and he managed to overcome all of them and I think it’s a great moment to praise Gareth Bale for what he did in his career and it’s a pity that he has retired at the age of 33. But he’s decided that and we have to accept it.”
GETTY7Bale endured plenty of ups and downs during his time in Madrid
7Ronaldo’s arrival at the club was a ‘handicap’ for Bale
Bale’s relationship with supporters in Madrid turned a little sour in the final years of his career but, according to Calderon, that may have been down to his ‘introverted nature’.
He said: “Fans here remember him quite well. Everybody knows the picture of the overhead kick against Liverpool and after all, he won five Champions Leagues and three in a row, amazing.
“I think it’s a pity that more recently he had injuries and apathy in some moments and also maybe an introverted character in not wanting to talk to the media. Yes, it caused some problems with the fans.
“I think that the fans here think – for his talent, skill and speed – he could have been a better player than he was, despite getting all of those titles and before he came, with Tottenham, he was an amazing player.
“He’s one of those important players that we’ve had in the last time.”
7Bale will be fondly remembered for his time in Madrid
Asked how Bale will be remembered at Real Madrid, Calderon added: “He will be remembered as a very good player. It’s important to underline and point out that his behaviour was impeccable with the club, fans and teammates, although he was unfairly accused of looking down on Real Madrid in some moments.
“There was that silly episode where he appeared behind a banner that said ‘Wales, golf, Real Madrid’. I don’t think he wanted to hurt Real Madrid and the fans, but he had an amazing first period of four or five seasons here, then the second one wasn’t really good.
“Of course, he was on loan for one year with Tottenham and came back to Madrid.
Fans, I think, like him but it’s true that his behaviour with the press and the media wasn’t the best for his image among the fans.”
