Gareth Bale slammed by Spanish press for playing for Wales despite missing Real Madrid’s last 13 games through injury
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GARETH BALE has been blasted by the Spanish media after playing 45 minutes for Wales last night - despite missing Real Madrid's last 13 games.
The Welsh superstar, 32, picked up a serious hamstring injury in September and has not featured for the Spanish giants since the end of August.
He also missed Wales' qualifying double header against Czech Republic and Estonia last month, but returned for their 5-1 thrashing of Belarus last night.
The former Spurs winger picked up an assist as they tore their opposition apart at the Cardiff City Stadium, before being withdrawn at half-time by boss Rob Page.
The game marked his 100th appearance for The Dragons, making him only the second player ever to reach that milestone after teammate Chris Gunter.
But the for choosing to play for Wales, despite missing so many crucial games for Los Blancos.
Antonio Romero of said: "His attitude is unacceptable to be the highest paid player in Real Madrid.
"It is unfortunate that today he is a starter with the national team after more than two months without playing in Madrid.
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"He is making fun of the club badge."
Miguel Martín Talavera went as far as to suggest that UEFA should step in to prevent injured players from playing for their national teams but not their clubs.
He said: "I think that if a player is injured and is out with his team, UEFA should change something there."
after last night's win, Bale said: "I've been out for two months so if we were up the plan was to come off and be ready for Tuesday.
"It was always the plan to play 45 minutes."
Bale was withdrawn at half-time, meaning he did not get the chance to soak up the adoration of the Wales fans on his landmark appearance until full-time.
He said: "As much as I would have loved to have come off to an ovation you can only have five substitutions, and the team is the important thing.
To have my 100th cap at home with [the fans] cheering my name made it very special and a day I'll never forget
Gareth Bale on Sky Sports
"I enjoyed the occasion, and I'm pleased to be back. It was a hard road back from injury."
The win strengthened Wales' position in second in Group E, five points behind Belgium in first and three points ahead of Czech Republic in second.
Rob Page's men are guaranteed a play-off place to qualify for next year's World Cup after winning their Nations League group last year.
But to get a home draw, they will need to finish second in their group, which they can guarantee with a draw at home to Belgium on Tuesday.
Czech Republic face Estonia on Tuesday and will be expected to win, which would put them level on points with Wales if they lose to Belgium.
If Wales and the Czech Republic finish on the same points, second place will be decided on goal difference, meaning every goal counts.
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Bale added: "From the first whistle we knew we had to be on it - it could come down to goal difference, and it was a great performance and we're delighted.
"We've got the best fans in the world. To have my 100th cap at home with them cheering my name made it very special and a day I'll never forget."
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