Gareth Bale needs to stand up to Cristiano Ronaldo if he is to stay the course at Real Madrid.
The Welsh winger has been out of sorts this season and I think Ronaldo has turned the crowd against him a bit.
Bale’s confidence is not as good as it should be and the whole situation is probably linked to a lot of politics and bad feeling in the dressing-room at the Bernabeu.
He doesn't seem to be a pushy lad, Bale, whereas Ronaldo has a lot of presence. Indeed there are a lot of people in the Real Madrid set-up with a big presence.
I saw one match recently where Bale came in and had a shot at goal himself ... Ronaldo was gesturing all over the place – never a good sign.
But on international duty last weekend Bale scored twice, including a free-kick, and set up another as Wales won 3-0 in Israel.
Bale prepares to score a free for Wales against Israel last week (PA)
He would have the stature and reputation among the Welsh lads that he wouldn't have in Madrid, where Ronaldo wouldn't let him take a free-kick.
Ronaldo's the boss, he's the top man, and he doesn't seem to get on with his Welsh team-mate.
Bale wouldn't want to leave Madrid. Going there two summers' ago was his dream move. He must have thought 'I'll get there and I'll be pals with everybody'. It's not quite working out that way.
As I keep saying, there is zero possibilities of Gareth Bale or Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid this summer
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) April 1, 2015
What he needs to do now is say 'sod you' to Ronaldo, or anybody else who's getting in his way for that matter.
His attitude should be 'I'm going what I want to do on the pitch'. Because that's what you have to do. You have to impose yourself, and not be put down by the likes of Ronaldo or anybody else. Bale should tell him to clear off.
It's not easy to do that - but if he doesn't do that he will have to go somewhere else.
And when you leave Madrid it's usually a step down.
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