Gareth Bale may be a bit lonely at Real Madrid as uncertainty grows over his future, according to Rafael van der Vaart.
Bale, 29, has started Madrid’s past two matches on the bench, coming on to score the winner from the penalty spot against Levante on Sunday.
But the Wales star celebrated angrily, leading to fresh speculation about his future at Madrid, where he arrived from Tottenham in 2013.
Bale’s former Spurs team-mate Van der Vaart said the star attacker liked his space, but feels he may be struggling in Spain.
“He is a very calm player. He wants to be alone, he doesn’t have much contact with his team-mates,” he told El Larguero on Tuesday.
“In Spain it is important to speak Spanish and I think he is a bit lonely in the team.”
Bale, who has scored 13 goals in 31 games this campaign, is into his sixth season at the Santiago Bernabeu and is contracted until 2022.
“I’m a little surprised at what’s happening at Real Madrid with Gareth Bale,” he said. “He’s a very good player.
“At Real, you always have to play well and there’s more pressure than at Tottenham and I think that’s a problem for him.”
Even Gareth Bale’s match-winning goal against Levante only served to reignite the debate about his problems at Real Madrid.
After coming off the bench, yet again, Bale converted a controversial penalty to secure a barely deserved 2-1 league victory on Sunday (Feb 24).
Bale refused to celebrate his 78th minute winner. Stony faced, he brushed off the congratulations of team mates.
Madrid host Barcelona in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Wednesday, with the tie locked at 1-1.