'It's like having 10 men when he's playing' - Toshack slams individualistic Bale

The former Wales manager has criticised the 30-year-old winger and believes certain aspects of his game make him more susceptible to injury

Gareth Bale may have helped Wales to a draw against Croatia in their Euro 2020 qualifier on Sunday, but former boss John Toshack has hit out at the Real Madrid star, suggesting he does not play for the team.

“I remember one day, against Croatia or Greece, we had a free-kick on the right-wing and Bale runs up at the right side of the ball and 'pam', with the outside of his boot,” he told Libero .

“I said to him: ‘Hey Gareth, take care with this [technique]. Ligaments, cartilages, take care'.

“We had another free-kick and he did exactly the same, but it resulted in a goal and I said: ‘See, do what you want!’.

“But I've seen Bale injured, and many times I think these [injuries] are related to this.”

Toshack thinks Bale is too selfish at times, adding: “Bale doesn’t take part in the game, for possibly for five minutes he is around the edges of a game but he doesn’t participate, and then suddenly he sprints to come back.

“With him it is sometimes like playing with 10 players. He is very individualistic."