The Real Madrid forward responded to his critics in Spain after helping Wales move within one game of reaching the World Cup on Thursday.
Gareth Bale has described Spanish newspaper headlines targeting him as ‘disgusting’ and said the writers should be ‘ashamed of themselves’.
Spanish media outlets took aim at Bale before Wales’ World Cup playoff semi-final against Austria, after he missed Real Madrid’s 4-0 Clasico thrashing to arch-rivals Barcelona last weekend.
Spanish newspaper Marca ran an image of the 32-year-old looking cheerful alongside Wales teammate Joe Rodon, posting the headline ‘it doesn’t hurt anymore’ and labeling him a ‘parasite’.
But Bale brushed aside his critics by scoring both goals on Thursday to help Wales beat Austria 2-1 in a World Cup play-off semi-final.
Marca: ‘The Welsh parasite’
Bale: Bangs in 2 belters to send Wales to a World Cup final playoff.Bale after the game: ‘It's disgusting, they should be ashamed of themselves.’
Quite the day.
Think we can agree on who had the last laugh 🏴 Great win Wales! pic.twitter.com/Ift3SYOvaV
— Brendy Boyle (@BrendyBoyle) March 24, 2022
‘It’s disgusting and they should also be ashamed’
Bale’s first goal celebration struck a lot of emotion in Cardiff and he appeared to mouth words into the camera.
Asked if he was sending a message to anyone, Bale told Sky Sports: “I don’t need to send a message, honestly.
“It’s a waste of my time. It’s disgusting and they should also be ashamed of themselves. I’m not fussed. End of.”
What next for Wales?
Thanks to Bale’s brace, Wales have moved one step closer to their first World Cup since 1958.
The Dragons will face either Scotland or Ukraine in the playoff final at an unknown date. Because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Eastern European nation’s football team couldn’t play Scotland this week.
Wales will instead wrap up the international break with a friendly against the Czech Republic next Tuesday in Cardiff.
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