Bale's family and friends ask him to leave Real Madrid

Messages have arrived from Cardiff to Gareth Bale, they are messages of affection but also ones which request that he leaves Real Madrid.

It's clear that Bale's career as a Real Madrid player will be over at the end of the season, yet with the return of Carlo Ancelotti, the Welsh international has been allowed to live in peace.

There has been the occasional moment of action in the first-team, whilst there is complete respect between the Italian coach and the player.

It is this relationship that has opened the door for Bale to leave the club in the right way, as a player who arrived from abroad and won four Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, two LaLiga Santander titles, three Copa del Rey titles and three Supercopa de Espana titles.

The message from his family and friends was a request to leave the Spanish club, but to do so on his own terms, not via the ignominy of the back door.

His family feel that he can't simply leave Madrid silently, as if he were just another run of the mill player, but instead he has to leave as someone who achieved everything possible with the Spanish giants.

Bale has a chance to play an important role in Real Madrid's Copa del Rey campaign, especially with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo both on international duty with Brazil, and Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio both being injured.

Bale is likely to be called into the team for the match against Athletic Club, and this allows him the chance to leave as a hero, once again influencing matters on the pitch.

There is also the Champions League, which may well require Bale's participation if players don't return in time for the tie against Paris Saint-Germain.