Gareth Bale could be a Real Madrid cult hero so why has it gone so wrong? | Jonathan Wilson

Bale is not exactly a victim but this sorry story of the modern superplayer is fundamentally of Madrid’s own making

On the one hand, the massive imbalances of wealth within football are a terrible thing. On the other, they can lead to deliciously ludicrous morality tales. The hero is lured to a faraway kingdom by promises of unimaginable wealth and other heroes to hero around with. The hero heroes but perhaps not as heroically as some would like. Then the king decides he wants a new hero and that means this hero must leave. But this hero enjoys his luxurious life and does not want to go anywhere where there may be fewer other heroes to hero with and where the pillows may be less silken and the fairways less lush. Impasse ensues.

This could be about Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain but it is about Gareth Bale and Real Madrid – and the fact the pattern repeats with such contrasting personalities suggests the problem is systemic rather than being about individuals. The culture of superclubs has led to a cult of superplayers and the problem with superplayers is that only superclubs and Chinese franchises can afford them. When one tires of the other, there are very few places for the superplayer to go.

Related: 'Nothing has changed': Zidane resolute despite Bale scoring against Arsenal

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