Gareth Bale will always be 'in the memories of Real Madrid fans', claims Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti insists Gareth Bale will always be 'in the memories of Real Madrid fans' despite his fractious relationship with supporters during his time at the club.

The 32-year-old Welshman is set to leave the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer in the summer after a topsy-turvy nine-year stint with the club.

The former Tottenham star antagonised fans in November 2019 by celebrating a Wales victory by showing a national flag with the words 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order.'

The rocky relationship between Bale and the fans has continued into this season, when he laughed off a series of boos aimed at him after coming on as a substitute in Madrid's 2-0 win against Getafe last month.

Reports in Spain now claim he is set to be part of a 'farewell night' on home soil on Friday night for the visit of Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis, with midfielder Isco and left-back Marcelo also potentially saying their goodbyes.

But ahead of the match, Italian boss Ancelotti confirmed Bale - who has won three LaLiga titles and four Champions League - will forever remain part of the club's history, but refused to confirm if he will be on the bench on Friday despite training.

'Everyone knows that his contract is up,' Ancelotti said in a pre-match press conference. 'Whether he plays tomorrow or not is not so important.

'What is important is that he has been part of the history of this club. I think he remains in the memory of all Real Madrid fans.

'He was important in La Decima [2014 Champions League final], in Kiev [2018 Champions League final], in the Copa del Rey [in 2014]… He is a player who has written great chapters in the history of this club and I think everyone recognises that.'

Whether Bale gets the chance to bid farewell on the pitch or not, his attention will then turn to leading Wales' bid to reach a first World Cup for 64 years.

Robert Page has named skipper Bale in a 27-man squad for the World Cup play-off final against Scotland or Ukraine in Cardiff on June 5.

How successful Wales are could also impact his future, with his agent Jonathan Barnett telling Portuguese newspaper Record earlier this week: 'He leaves Real Madrid, but it all depends on whether Wales qualify, then we will make a decision.

'Is it more likely to return to England? I think so, but we'll have to wait and see if Wales qualify for the World Cup.'

Bale has made just two cameo substitute appearances for Real Madrid since scoring both goals in Wales' 2-1 World Cup play-off victory over Austria on March 24.

The 32-year-old has been absent from Real's last five matchday squads with a back problem.

But Bale has returned to training in the Spanish capital, and is on course to be available for Real's Champions League final date with Liverpool on May 28.