Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand says he can't believe the lack of respect shown to Gareth Bale during his time with Real Madrid.
The Wales skipper has just brought the curtain down on his career with the Spanish giants, with his trophy cabinet full to the brim. The 32-year-old won five Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles, the Copa Del Rey, four Club World Cups and three UEFA Super Cups during his time in Madrid but his relationship with supporters turned sour in recent years.
Thankfully, his eventual exit from the Bernabeu was a respectful affair, with fans acknowledging his achievements but Ferdinand believes the club should have been in Bale's corner more, adding the former Tottenham man was unfairly painted as a "bad egg in the dressing room".
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He said : "That's where I think there was a lack of loyalty. I just feel like he's been painted as this caricature that has been the negative and the bad egg in that dressing room.
"The guy has put up some of the most iconic moments in Real Madrid history in some of the biggest games that are possible to be had at club level, and he was being ushered out under a blanket and told 'don't come back'.
"The lack of respect is unreal, I can't believe it. If there's fans or whoever that feel a certain way about him, the club should be overriding and saying 'no, you come with us, we support you,' and 'what he’s done for us, will never ever be forgotten'.
"It's a joke, it's four Champions Leagues he's won. I was there against Liverpool, the overhead kick, the geezer was doing stuff that was just like blowing your mind."
"Maybe it's because he hasn't learned the language, or he hasn't bought in totally to the culture, I don't know," he concluded.
"But the club have got to go 'no, we don't win a couple of trophies if he doesn't play, so please respect that. I think Gareth Bale has been unfairly treated at Real Madrid and they don't often get it too wrong with them sort of circumstances."
Bale is yet to make a decision on his next club, revealing he will decide his future after his holiday.
