Gareth Bale gives emotional Real Madrid exit message before summer battle for former Tottenham ace

Gareth Bale has confirmed his inevitable exit from Real Madrid with a message of thanks to the club he has endured a love-hate relationship with.

Bale became the most expensive player in the history of football when Real Madrid signed him from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013. In his first season in Spain, he helped the club win the Copa Del Rey and their 10th Champions League crown.

Forming part of an attacking trident with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale scored 22 goals in the 2013-14 campaign.

He would remain a regular for five more seasons in the Spanish capital. Along the way, he picked up several more medals.

However, concerns grew over his injury record and commitment. After falling out of favour in the 2019-20 season, he went back on loan to Tottenham in 2020-21. The Wales international then returned to Madrid, reunited with Carlo Ancelotti, for the final year of his contract.

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During his final season with the club, Bale only made seven appearances,