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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Mathew Davies

Gareth Bale's name was read out at the Bernabeu one last time and Real Madrid fans couldn't resist

Gareth Bale's nine-year association with Real Madrid is now over.

His final game in Los Blancos colours saw him remain on the substitutes' bench for the Champions League final against Liverpool in Paris. Real won the match 1-0 to claim their 14th European title - with Wales captain Bale now having five to his name alone.

With his contract now up, it was a bittersweet end for the 32-year-old, who has endured his fair share of ups and downs in the Spanish capital. His relationship with supporters and the media has been fraught for years, with fans unhappy with his perceived lack of commitment to the Real Madrid cause coupled with his huge wages and unfortunate injury record in recent times.

READ MORE: Gareth Bale signs off Real Madrid career with apt Instagram post

For the Champions League final, Madrid opened up their home ground to screen the game live from the French capital for supporters back in Spain.

When the team news was revealed - more than two hours before kick-off - those in attendance reacted with typical scorn towards Bale when his name was read out. Despite cheering the likes of Nacho, Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio, it was whistles for the No.18.

It isn't the first time Bale had been jeered at the stadium by his own supporters.

Just a six weeks ago, in his first match at the Bernabeu in nearly two seasons, Bale was whistled as he entered the pitch as a second-half substitute against Getafe.

His introduction was met by a chorus of jeers from Los Blancos supporters. The former Tottenham man responded perfectly at the time, smiling as he entered the fray to a cloud of negativity. His every touch of the ball was also met with whistles. It prompted his team-mate Casemiro to condemn his own fans for their treatment of Bale.

If Bale has been treated with disdain by the majority of fans in Madrid, the opposite is true back in Wales, with the former Tottenham man acquiring almost God-like status among the Red Wall. He will, once again, be the key man next Sunday when Rob Page's men take on either Scotland or Ukraine for the place in the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

It certainly won't be boos that will greet his name when it is read out at Cardiff City Stadium next Sunday.

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