Gareth Bale’s audition to win back Real Madrid shirt starts at Euro 2021

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 3 min read

Few players need to have a good Euro 2021 campaign quite like Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale.

On top of being one of Wales’ most senior players and the star that the nation will turn to to get them out of a difficult group, the 31-year-old winger will also be aware of how the competition could reflect on his domestic situation.

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A few months ago Bale would have given up all hope of impressing his manager at Madrid, Zinedine Zidane, with the bridge between player and coach having burned down long ago.

However, things have quickly changed and in Zidane's place is a welcomed face in Carlo Ancelotti. A manager that Bale can now surely work under back in Spain.

Yet, to do that, Bale will have to continue the form he has shown at Tottenham this season and impress at the coming European Championship. And he’s well aware of that.

“Obviously I know I haven't scored for a while,” said Bale, at a pre-tournament press conference about his recent form for Wales.

“But I've made maybe six or seven assists in that time, so I'm still contributing in terms of goals.

“I'm not worried. I know where the back of the net is and if the chance arises I hope I'm able to take it.

“I feel good, fit and sharp and ready to go. I scored goals towards the end of the season and hopefully timed fitness to perfection.”

Could Bale play his way back into the Madrid first team next season?

While it’s been some time since Bale was flavour of the month in the Spanish capital, Los Blancos are in a worrying financial position at the moment and may need to turn to the Wales international to help fill in a few holes in the team.

If Bale can offer Madrid the kind of form he provided for Tottenham this season - which amounted to an impressive 16 goals and three assists - then he’ll surely be an asset for Ancelotti’s side.

Especially if the club are severely limited in who they can sign in the coming summer transfer window.