Gareth Bale achieves Wales century in Belarus win but record marks club worry

Gareth Bale became just the second player to achieve 100 caps for Wales on Saturday night, but the occasion in Cardiff also highlighted his less-than-ideal situation with Real Madrid

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Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale shows off his golf course

Gareth Bale became just the second player to win his 100th cap for Wales in their 5-1 thrashing of Belarus on Saturday.

The Real Madrid forward returned from injury to start the important World Cup qualifier in Cardiff and join Chris Gunter as the only player to reach three figures for Wales caps.

Bale was taken off at half-time in his first match since September 8 following a hamstring injury, but his team-mates’ efforts ensured it was a happy occasion.

Aaron Ramsey scored twice, while goals from Neco Williams, Ben Davies and Conor Roberts rounded off the win, which moved Rob Page’s side up to second in Group E.

After the final whistle, Bale took in a lap of appreciation around the stadium, while he was also presented with a commemorative shirt by the Football Association of Wales.

“As much as I would have loved to come off to an ovation, the most important thing is the game, the team,” Bale said.

“I’m just happy to be back. It was a hard road back from injury.”

Wales interim boss Page was full of praise for the 32-year-old, who has been a key player for his country ever since making his debut as a 16-year-old Southampton left-back in 2006.

“It speaks volumes about him as a person,” said Page.

“He is so humble, he appreciates his teammates and I thought that was a real touch of class.

“In the changing room the boys acknowledged [his achievement] with a round of applause.”

HAVE YOUR SAY! Where will Gareth Bale end up when his Real Madrid contract expires? Comment below.

While it was a special occasion for Bale in front of his friends and family, his success with Wales comes in stark contrast to his club situation recently.

Bale’s season was interrupted by the hamstring injury he sustained in Wales’ 0-0 draw with Estonia in September – but even that match showed the difference between club and country.

Even with the injury, the former Tottenham man has played more games for Wales (four) this season than Real Madrid (three).

The infamous ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid’ banner from 2019 was obviously tongue-in-cheek, yet it does reflect his current situation.

Bale is out of contract with Real in the summer and looks certain to leave the club he joined for £80million back in 2013, with the club keen to get his reported £600,000-a-week wages off the books.

He has won four Champions League trophies, two La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey during his eight years with the club.

But the past few seasons have been far from harmonious, with former manager Zinedine Zidane freezing him out and sending him on loan to Tottenham last season.

Bale will be free to speak with other clubs in January about a free transfer from July 1, so it remains to be seen where he ends up in 2022.