Gareth Bale scored a winning penalty in Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Levante – and refused to celebrate with his team-mates.
The Welshman has failed to hold down a regular starting place under boss Santiago Solari and a reported £131million price tag has been placed on him, with his Real future is in serious doubt.
Real stars Marcelo and Thibaut Courtois have commented on the 29-year-old’s behaviour this season.
Marcelo revealed Bale, who has been at the club for nearly six years, only speaks to his team-mates in English, while Courtois criticised him for spending most of his free time on the golf course.
And Bale’s relationship with his team-mates took centre stage when he ignored a jubilant Lucas Vazquez and jogged back to the centre-circle after scoring a 78th-minute penalty against Levante on Sunday.
He had only been on the pitch for four minutes before taking the spot-kick, which got Real back to winning ways after losing to Girona last weekend.
Despite his lack of emotion when scoring the winning goal, Solari “loved” Bale’s “anger”.
He said: “Gareth Bale was euphoric in the changing room because he scored.
“I love the way he came on the pitch, with the anger that he played with and on top of that he gave us the win.
“Also, when we were down to 10 men he had double function up there so I think he played a fantastic match.”
Bale has won four Champions League trophies since joining Real in a £85million deal from Spurs in 2013.
And speaking at the end of January, the player’s agent dismissed the idea he is looking to leave.
“Bale’s always felt an important part of this team,” Jonathan Barnett told Madridista Real.
“Like I said before, Bale’s never wanted to leave Real Madrid. He’s really happy at the club and the club are happy with Bale.
“The truth is we’re tired of the stupid stories and lies.”