Gareth Bale has once again felt the wrath of the Spanish media after missing Real Madrid's recent La Liga title celebrations.
Bale was the only absentee as Real celebrated a 35th league title following the 4-0 win over Espanyol at the weekend, and later took to social media to explain that he missed out due to a back spasm. He tweeted: "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".
However, it was a move which appeared to win little favour with some sections of the Spanish press, who once again questioned Bale's commitment to the club. Spanish outlet El Mundo wrote: "The fight to take Wales to the World Cup is his great objective. If he fails, there's a good chance he'll quit football. None of that worries Madrid anymore."
Read more: We spoke to Real Madrid fans about what they really think of Gareth Bale
Meanwhile Real-sympathising paper Marca, who recently mocked up a cartoon of the Welshman as a mosquito in an article labelling him a "parasite", described Bale's absence as "an ugly gesture on a day of joy for the squad and the fans".
In the run-up to the game, the same publication had even claimed that Bale may well have played had he wanted to, with Carlo Ancelotti keeping one eye on the upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg with Manchester City on Wednesday. Assessing the scenes at the weekend, where Real celebrated without the winger, Marca added: "Bale had trained normally in the pre-match session and it wasn't until after the session that he said his back was hurting, an injury that the medical services couldn't detect. The club are now dismissing it as a matter of indifference to a player who is determined to leave through the back door. All were united except Bale, who remains on the fringes of the team dynamic."
Despite those claims, reports from Spanish news agency EFE have said that Bale travelled to the club's facilities on Sunday morning for tests, which reportedly confirmed the back issue while Bale went to visit the physio department to begin treatment.
It remains to be seen whether Bale will play again for Real, who also have four league games of the current campaign remaining, including the Madrid Derby on Sunday. One certainty is that the 32-year-old will leave the Spanish capital this summer, although his next move isn't quite so obvious.
DC United are one of the most recent clubs to be linked, while former club Tottenham Hotspur are currently the bookies' favourites. There has even been a suggestion that hometown club Cardiff City could be in the frame, although the financial logistics involved would surely be problematic.
Quizzed on whether it was a possible option, Bluebirds chairman Mehmet Dalman told BBC Radio Wales: "I have nothing to add [on Bale] to what you already know. Gareth Bale is going to do what Gareth Bale wants and we are willing listeners with open arms if he chooses to do that."
