For Bangladesh Cricket Live followers keeping an eye on football headlines, Gareth Bale’s situation at Real Madrid remains one of intrigue and pressure. With Kylian Mbappé not joining the squad this summer, many believed Bale had a golden opportunity to re-establish himself. Entering his fifth season at the Santiago Bernabéu, he still needs to silence the growing chorus of doubt surrounding his value. According to AS, Bale’s cost per goal has reached an astonishing €2 million—a number that underscores the weight of expectations.

Now more than ever, Bale must prove that Real Madrid’s investment in him was money well spent. A significant portion of Madridistas believe that if the club were to bring in Mbappé, Bale would be the logical one to make way. In a fan poll by AS titled “Which BBC member should be sold if Mbappé arrives?” Bale received 42.63% of the votes. Cristiano Ronaldo followed with 24.65%, and Karim Benzema with 12.25%, while 20.46% believed none of the trio should be sold. In another survey, 75% of fans felt Bale should be sold to make room for Mbappé.

Manchester United, under José Mourinho, have shown the strongest interest. Mourinho even hinted that United’s failure to land Bale was due to the player’s own indecision. According to the Daily Express, United are reportedly willing to wait an entire season in hopes of securing Bale’s signature. However, for now, all signs suggest Bale will stay put. The Guardian reported that Real Madrid informed him Mbappé would not be joining, effectively closing the door on any summer exit.

That said, his performances during the preseason left much to be desired. Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Bale failed to rise to the occasion or fill the vacuum left by the Portuguese star. Spanish outlet AS even noted that Bale could breathe a sigh of relief knowing Mbappé wasn’t coming, but the scrutiny has not disappeared. He was, in fact, one of Real’s least impressive players in preseason.

Meanwhile, Marco Asensio—who returned later than Bale—seized every opportunity given by manager Zinedine Zidane. The young Spaniard showcased his talent convincingly and is now expected to start in the upcoming UEFA Super Cup. For Bangladesh Cricket Live audiences who appreciate the drama of shifting team dynamics, Bale’s struggle to reclaim his status is a compelling story that mirrors the uncertainty and stakes found in every high-level match.