The former Santiago Bernabeu coach has criticised the Wales international forward but heaped praise on his Blancos team-mate Karem Benzema
Gareth Bale has been accused of not being passionate enough and failing to fill Cristiano Ronaldo's boots at Real Madrid.
Former Santiago Bernabeu player and manager Jorge Valdano was critical of the Welshman, despite seeing him score in the 4-2 La Liga victory over Espanyol on Sunday.
Bale, 29, who joined Real from Tottenham for £85 million ($112m) in 2013, was tipped to step up to fill the void created by Ronaldo's departure for Juventus last summer.
However, he remains a target for taunts from pundits and fans alike.
Valdano, who managed the Blancos between 1994 and 1996, told the El Transistor de Onda Cero podcast: "Bale has a tremendous class, but then he disappears, he shows less passion than other players."
Valdano questioned the forward's injury record and said Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jnr has done more to soften the blow of Ronaldo's exit.
"Bale is a player who fights against his body, he does not look like a passionate player," he added.
"He came to occupy the emptiness left by Cristiano and he has not, the one who has occupied that empty place is Vinicius."
Valdano, meanwhile, does not understand how Spanish forward Isco has fallen out of favour with manager Santiago Solari, saying: "It is surprising that Madrid renounces a resource like Isco."
But he is full of praise for a rejuvenated Karim Benzema.
The Frenchman, 31, scored twice against Espanyol and Valdano said: "Benzema is in a fantastic moment, he is a silky player, of an exquisite class and the confidence has made him dangerous.
"The whistles have turned into applause and right now he is the greatest value of the team with [Sergio] Ramos and [Luka] Modric.
"Benzema is in the best moment of his career".
Real travel to Girona in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Thursday with a 4-2 lead.
Que_X_Genah
1
Without injury, Bale can carry Real Madrid on his back!!! likewise with Tottenham
Vezonic22
0
He's not there to fill Ronaldo's gap but be Gareth Bale and score goals. Pushing him to be like Ronaldo will only worsen his situation. Let Madrid try to get the best out of him without this Ronaldo comparison.
greece
0
a sprinter can never be a world class footballer
Bell is not as good as Benzema this year, he is too easy to get hurt.
mubbp
0
a sprinter can never be a world class footballer
Evertonfan1717
1
Nice joke 😂😂😂😂
Why is you sayin dis a joke Bale is a better footballer than Ronaldo. Ronaldo is overrated and not missed at Real. They are better without him just look at the standings. Bale also has more goals for Real Madrid this season Ronaldo doesn’t even start because Vinucius and Asensio took his place. That’s what I thought
Mauailptuz
0
Bale is low key better than Ronaldo. Ronaldo is not even good saint. You people wallin if you deadass tink dat CRon is is better den my son Bale
Nice joke 😂😂😂😂
Mauailptuz
1
Bale can not and will never ever be able to fill the shoes of the Great CR7!! He's a good player, but to say that he can fill the Great One's shoes is stupidity in the highest order. Stop this nonsense already please 🙏
Ruzbelsy
0
he did in that on your team's face in last UCL final
That's how a fool is always confused when it comes to support
MohithPv
1
pls stop taking drugs it is not good for your health because u already half mad
Yeah Cry Lowder than Karius did
MohithPv
2
Overrated and useless... always busy nursing injuries
He is a very talented in My knowledge of History of Football there is no one like bale who played as Left back and became a Striker... because of his talent physic and hard work
Ruzbelsy
0
he did in that on your team's face in last UCL final
pls stop taking drugs it is not good for your health because u already half mad
MohithPv
0
If not madness how do you expect Bale to fill CR7 shoes 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
he did in that on your team's face in last UCL final
becastuy
1
Overrated and useless... always busy nursing injuries
nameuy
0
That's is not good for a player who want to be a star a player who will alway be there for the team went they really needed him
citizens
0
Stop comparing bale and Ronaldo it make no sense because cr7 is a supper star while is bale trying so hard to become one they are all my players because am a really madrid fan but went it come to a really star we all that it's Ronald
In these years, Bell’s pressure is too great, his body is too easy to get hurt.
nameuy
3
Stop comparing bale and Ronaldo it make no sense because cr7 is a supper star while is bale trying so hard to become one they are all my players because am a really madrid fan but went it come to a really star we all that it's Ronald
peyadeins
0
bale can do it but injuries is his problem
Ruzbelsy
2
If not madness how do you expect Bale to fill CR7 shoes 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
Agho
1
Bale is low key better than Ronaldo. Ronaldo is not even good saint. You people wallin if you deadass tink dat CRon is is better den my son Bale
You joke is so expensive in the sense You are not making sense
pokharaali
1
Bale is low key better than Ronaldo. Ronaldo is not even good saint. You people wallin if you deadass tink dat CRon is is better den my son Bale
Hahaha, joke of the year.😂😂😂
Ali_LB
1
Start with Vinicious to get them tired then add Bale to get goals.
Evertonfan1717
4
Bale is low key better than Ronaldo. Ronaldo is not even good saint. You people wallin if you deadass tink dat CRon is is better den my son Bale
Lahbiosty
0
cool
MfanafuthiKhanyezi
2
Bale should switch to italy
zoeekmpst
1
Bale is not such a player who has the talent, potential and physic to equate with Ronaldo. He who thought it is a fool. Vinicius Junior is a good player but will never be able to overtake Ronaldo with his power and skill. He can at best, try to equalize with Mbappe.
ahmedab14
2
hey stop comparing guys u don't know how difficult is to play in front of 40000 people we critsise them because we don't play so please stop comparing and criticizing them and enjoy this beautiful game
uhunomaojo
6
bale cannot be like ronaldo for life
12UnitedGuyReborn
5
Real Madrid Forever, Hala Madrid
12UnitedGuyReborn
1
Real Madrid forever Hala Madrid
Yorokiri
2
No one can... maybe Madrid should wait for his son?
moore8
1
And he can’t fill his (Ronaldo’s) gap
УлугбекМатякубов
0
Why always criticising Bale? He is a very good player, not his fault he gets injured. Name someone who would do a better job than him in the long run.... I'LL WAIT
it is dembèle. young fast with good finishing and in the best club of the world. no more to comment.
rolandxoibiba11
2
Gareth Bale =0 ballon dor ronaldo =5 ballon dor =>big difference
Wipimnotu
2
When someone gets injured so often like Bale, it's likely his own doing. Hard work pays off and he's probably not doing something right off the pitch. Messi and Ronaldo both underwent surgery as kids but that didn't stop them from becoming the world's greatest duo to ever grace the game. They pushed themselves to overcome the odds and have remained super fit with no signs of slowing down even at 30+.
RØBÏÑ_HØØD
1
Why always criticising Bale? He is a very good player, not his fault he gets injured. Name someone who would do a better job than him in the long run.... I'LL WAIT
EmiiNiMonsta
4
This is an understatement please... Bale can only fill the gap left on the bench by an injury player
Harown
1
you guys should stop heaping pressure on them... the pressure of filling Ronaldo's shoes is what's making them perform badly...
chidesco1
5
Why criticize bale? He's a very good player and its never his fault that he's always injured. He's tried his best and is avoiding some habits to stay fit and moreover he's no Ronaldo.
Picbdeks
3
Jorge valdano seems to have it out for bale! He’s trying his best, cut him slack.
lukzlat910
3
Real Madrid 4-2 Espanyol Real Madrid fans: Who needs Ronaldo or any back up for him?!