MADRID – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that Gareth Bale has made “the history of the club” despite appearing to be leaving at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old’s contract ends this year after a season in which he made just four La Liga appearances and two in the Champions League.
But Ancelotti believes Bale will be remembered in Madrid, where he won four Champions League crowns and two La Liga titles.
“He has struggled and hasn’t played lately, but he is a player who has marked the history of the club with his titles and his goals,” said the Italian coach.
“He’s fine, he’s in good physical shape. He showed it with his national team and he wants to show it here.”
“He is confident, he wants to finish well with this club.”
Real Madrid host Getafe on Saturday and are 12 points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table with eight games remaining.
The 13-time European champions are also well placed to reach the Champions League semi-finals after beating Chelsea 3-1 in the first leg of the round of 16 at Stamford Bridge earlier this week.
Karim Benzema scored his second consecutive hat-trick in this competition on Wednesday and now has 37 goals in all competitions this season.
“He’s one of the most important players at the club and he will continue to be that as he improves with age, regardless of his teammates,” Ancelotti said of the 34-year-old French striker.
Ancelotti, 62, would become the first manager in history to win all five European championships if Real can claim the title this season.
