Ancelotti Calls on Real Madrid Fans to Recognize Bale’s Contributions

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti watches the Spanish La Liga match between Cadiz and Real Madrid at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium in Cadiz, Spain, Sunday, May 15, 2022. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti watches the Spanish La Liga match between Cadiz and Real Madrid at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium in Cadiz, Spain, Sunday, May 15, 2022. (AP)
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Ancelotti Calls on Real Madrid Fans to Recognize Bale’s Contributions

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti watches the Spanish La Liga match between Cadiz and Real Madrid at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium in Cadiz, Spain, Sunday, May 15, 2022. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti watches the Spanish La Liga match between Cadiz and Real Madrid at the Nuevo Mirandilla stadium in Cadiz, Spain, Sunday, May 15, 2022. (AP)

Carlo Ancelotti says it is important Real Madrid recognize the contribution Gareth Bale has made to club and called on fans to give him a fitting farewell in his final home game when they face Real Betis later on Friday.

The 32-year-old has made just seven appearances in all competitions this season and is set to leave as a free agent when his contract expires in the summer.

Bale has won three La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 but his time in Spain has been marred by injuries.

"Everyone knows that Bale's contract is ending and that he says goodbye to Real Madrid this year," manager Ancelotti told reporters.

"It's not important if he plays. What's important is Bale is a part of the history of this club. He'll always be in the memories of Real Madrid fans."

Bale has often been a target of the Spanish media, who labelled him a "parasite" after missing Real's 4-0 home loss to Barcelona in March, and he was jeered by some fans in making his first competitive home appearance in over two years last month.

The Welshman scored twice, including a stunning overhead kick, in the 2018 Champions League final against Liverpool and also netted a memorable winner against Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey final.

"He was very important to the Decima (their 10th Champions League title) and the Copa del Rey final," added Ancelotti. "He has written some great chapters for this club, it is important we recognize that."

Bale was named in the Wales squad on Thursday for their World Cup playoff final against either Scotland or Ukraine, and three Nations League games next month.



Mbappe Absent from Real Madrid Squad for Salzburg Club World Cup Clash

Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
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Mbappe Absent from Real Madrid Squad for Salzburg Club World Cup Clash

Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP
Kylian Mbappe is back in training for Real Madrid after illness. Josep LAGO / AFP

Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the Real Madrid squad for Thursday's final Club World Cup group game against Red Bull Salzburg, despite returning to training following illness.

The French superstar did not feature in the list of 23 players named by coach Xabi Alonso and published by the club for the match in Philadelphia, in which the two teams are targeting a place in the last 16.

Mbappe had returned to training on Wednesday after missing Real's first two matches at the tournament in the United States due to illness.

He was taken to hospital last Thursday for tests and treatment after suffering gastroenteritis, before later being released.

He played no part in Real's opening game, a 1-1 draw with Saudi side Al-Hilal in Miami, or the 3-1 defeat of Mexico's Pachuca at the weekend.

Alonso did indicate after the latter game that Mbappe was on the mend, saying: "He is doing better, he is recovering."

Real posted images of Mbappe in training on Wednesday on their website, as the squad worked out at their Florida base before travelling north in the afternoon to Philadelphia.

It is there, at Lincoln Financial Field, where Madrid will take on the Austrians in their final Group H match and will be looking for a victory which will confirm their progress to the last 16 in first place in the section.

A draw can also take them through to the next round, with Manchester City and Juventus the possible opponents in the last 16.

Mbappe has scored 43 goals in 56 appearances since joining Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last year. His last game was for France in a 2-0 win away to Germany in the UEFA Nations League on June 8.