Bale: Why I’m fit for Wales and not Madrid

James Shearman

• 23 Mar 2022 18:40 GMT
• 3 min read

Gareth Bale has explained his speedy recovery from injury ahead of Wales' international fixtures.

Bale was absent on Sunday as Real Madrid lost 4-0 to Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu.

In fact, the 32-year-old's absence was never specified, calling the severity of it into question.

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Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said that the Welshman 'didn't feel right', failing to provide any sort of detail on the situation.

Although, the issue couldn't have been too bad as Bale was back in full training for Wales' World Cup qualifying semi-final against Austria on Thursday.

And, unsurprisingly, he has come in for criticism as a result of people doubting his injury.

But, the 32-year-old is used to the accusations, dealing with the questions in Wednesday's press conference.

''It’s normal to have some niggles, but in general, I am in quite good form,'' he said. ''I am prepared to play tomorrow.

''I have been training during the last two and a half months. I am in much better form than the last time, where I was out for three months.''

Bale has been excellent on several occasions for his international side, and another bit performance, or two, could be vital in ensuring wales make it to the World Cup finals in Qatar later this year.

Bale on leaving Real Madrid

Bale's contract at Real Madrid expires this summer, allowing him to leave the club on a free transfer.

But, the Wales legend claims to not be thinking about his club future, perhaps concentrating on his country as has so often been the case.

'''I haven’t thought about that,'' he added. ''I know that to think about the future can cause doubts, so I haven’t been thinking about that.

''What happens will happen in the future. I will decide in the future.''

Surely, the forward would want to remain playing at the highest level in order to stay in shape for the World Cup, should Wales qualify.