Graeme Souness has questioned Gareth Bale's hunger to play at the highest level, and claims the Wales captain 'prioritises golf' over his own playing career.
Bale was on hand to score his side's first goal at a World Cup since 1958 during his side's Group B opener with the USA, which proved enough to earn Rob Page's men a potentially precious point ahead of Friday's clash with Iran.
The 33-year-old is poised to pull on the red shirt for the 110th time for that clash, which would see him overtake Chris Gunter to become his country's most-capped men's player.
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He is still very much at the heart of Welsh hopes this winter, although he clearly still has plenty of critics.
Bale recently brought a trophy-laden yet turbulent spell at Real Madrid to an end last summer, joining American side LAFC, whom he recently helped to MLS Cup victory over Philadelphia Union.
Former Scotland and Liverpool hero Souness, on punditry duty for ITV, believes Bale will likely hold the key to Welsh hopes of success in Qatar, but says he's disappointed with how the skipper's career has panned out, labelling the end of the forward's time in Madrid 'a joke'.
"For Wales to do well. Gareth Bale has to have moments of real quality," Souness said.
"He's a mystery to me, Gareth Bale. I think at 33, OK, maybe he shouldn't still be at Real Madrid.
"But he should still be, we talk about players having longevity because of the science and keeping players fit, he should still be a big player at a big club.
"A complete mystery.
"From what you read. What you see on the television, it's as if he prioritises golf nowadays.
"Your career goes in a flash. It goes so quickly and he should still be at the highest level.
"His last couple of years at Real Madrid were a joke for someone of that quality. What a player he's been.
"He's still capable of those great moments, but you won't see many of those great moments. But you won't see so many of them. Like Messi, like Ronaldo, he's still capable, but they're not going to happen on a regular occurrence."
Wales take on Iran at 10am GMT on Friday morning.
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