Why Gareth Bale was absent from Real Madrid’s title celebrations

 

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has taken to social media on Saturday, to provide an explanation for his absence from the festivities on the back of the club’s latest La Liga title being secured.

Footage of the celebratory scenes across Spain’s capital has of course been widespread throughout the day to date, after Los Blancos’ downing of Espanyol ensured that their advantage atop the Spanish top-flight is now an insurmountable one.

A whole host of the club’s stars, in turn, have been spotted centre stage amid jubilant scenes, with boss Carlo Ancelotti having even been keen to show off his dancing talents:

Carlo Ancelotti was vibing 😂

(via @realmadrid) pic.twitter.com/kEktcj8WKp

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 30, 2022

One member of Real’s ranks, though, as alluded to above, who was nowhere to be seen on Saturday comes in the form of Gareth Bale.

The Welshman was not included in Los Merengues’ latest matchday squad, and too did not take his place on the club’s open top bus on the streets of Madrid.

The widespread assumption was therefore that Bale, after being omitted from the action versus Espanyol, had simply opted to skip celebrations which he did not feel a part of.

This of course comes with the former Tottenham Hotspur standout having endured another campaign to forget at the Bernabeu.

Bale himself, however, has since moved to refute such suggestions.

Taking to his social media platforms on Saturday evening, the 32-year-old, after sending a message of congratulations to his teammates, revealed that ‘a bad back spasm’ was in fact behind his absence:

CAMPEONES 🏆💪🏼

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! Enjoy tonight boys! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/RbXttKwHSE

— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) April 30, 2022

Rodrygo at the double

Turning attentions back towards the action itself on Saturday, as outlined above, Real welcomed Espanyol to the Bernabeu in the knowledge that just a solitary point was required to wrap up the club’s 35th La Liga crown.

This did not stop Ancelotti’s troops from putting on a show in front of the expectant home crowd, though, en route to a four-goal haul without reply.

Rodrygo set Los Blancos on their way, bagging a classy brace inside the opening 45 minutes, before further strikes on the part of Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema capped off a memorable day’s work for all associated with Real Madrid.

Karim Benzema couldn’t resist getting involved on Real’s title party 🥳 pic.twitter.com/UaiIOsyHbT

— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) April 30, 2022

 

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