The media expect superhuman performances from professional athletes, and will be

the first to celebrate with them when they deliver, yet instead of commiserating with
them when they show an ounce of human error, they are torn to shreds instead,
encouraging anger and disappointment in their fans.

“The everyday pressures on athletes is immense, and it’s as clear as day, how
negative media attention could easily send an already stressed athlete, or anybody in
the public eye over the edge.”

Bale is in the final few months of his Real contract and is set to leave the club he
joined from Tottenham in 2013 for a then world-record fee of £85m.

The 32-year-old was hailed as a hero in Madrid during his early years in Spain. Bale
scored three times in Champions League finals, including a memorable double in
Real’s 3-1 win over Liverpool in 2018, and has over 100 goals for the club.