By Paul Jones
Wales manager Rob Page has offered to personally build Gareth Bale his own statue – even if the World Cup qualifier turns out to be his final game for his country.
Bale has not played much football at Madrid this season, but his big game ability and undoubted quality mean that he is an outsider to potentially be the man to break Liverpool hearts once more, in what would be a fitting end to a trophy laden time in the Spanish capital when the Champins League final takes place on Saturday.
Despite his success, the Madrid media, fans and those at the top have often used the Welsh legend as a scapegoat for financial and scouting mishaps made by those in charge.
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On the demise of the relationship between the fans and the player, longtime teammate and Croatia ace Luka Modric said: “The best thing is you ask Gareth what happened.
“I always say Gareth was very important for this club and team.
“He has done great things and that cannot be forgotten.
“It is a shame that the last year has not been the best for him and the club.”
Bale’s future is currently up in the air as his contract is up in Madrid following the Champions League final on Saturday. The Welsh Captain could possibly bring an end to his international days following next week’s crunch World Cup play-off final against Scotland or Ukraine at the Cardiff City Stadium.
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Despite these rumours, if Wales are to qualify for the World Cup finals in Qatar in November, whispers about a potential fairytale move could become a reality, as Cardiff City are desperate to make the Real Madrid star the biggest name in the Championship next season.
But whenever Bale does decide to call it a day, Wales boss Page reckons Welsh football’s leading all-time goal scorer should be immortalized in stone or bronze if he guides his team to their first World Cup finals since 1958.
“I’d build one myself if he scores a winner to take us to the World Cup,” says Page.
“I would gladly sculpt it myself.
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“He’s been a legend. He’s a Welsh icon, absolutely. And not just what he has done on the pitch. A lot of people don’t know what he does off the pitch with regards to charities.
“We had to do a photograph recently for a car company, who were handing over a car to a hospital, and they wanted Gareth in the picture.
“I asked why and it was because he had personally donated a large sum of money to the hospital. A lot of people don’t see that.
“He’s not the type of character to shout that from the rooftops. I’m going to do it for him. He won’t do it and then we don’t get to hear about the good he does.
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“It’s not just what he has done on the pitch, it’s what he is. He’s a role model to the younger kids and things like that shows he has got class.”
Before linking up with Wales for the June 5 clash at home to either the Scots or Ukrainians, Bale will be in Paris for the Champions League final against Liverpool on Saturday night.
“If Gareth is asked to play for Madrid, he will play and give his best like he does for us,” adds Page.
“The criticism he has received is unjust. It’s been unfair what he has had to go through.
“He’s had to show an enormous strength of character and mental strength.”