Rio Ferdinand urges Gareth Bale to make Premier League return

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Indian Super League Prediction

March 14 2026, 05:00 PM

SC East Bengal

Kerala Blasters

London, May 29: Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand suggested Gareth Bale should leave Real Madrid in the close-season, claiming Old Trafford would be a suitable destination.

Bale scored twice against Liverpool to help Madrid to a third successive Champions League title - with the Welshman having initially started on the bench, as often has been the case this term under Zinedine Zidane.

The former Tottenham star made it clear in his post-match interviews that he was unhappy at not starting more often, indicating a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu could be possible.

And Ferdinand believes that Bale may well have achieved all he can do in Spain, claiming a return to the Premier League would be an ideal move for the 28-year-old.

Gareth Bale 4 CL winners medals, 3 CL finals goals - what more is there to do at @realmadrid for @garethbale11? He was brought there to eventually take over the mantle as the teams talisman from @cristiano but the Portuguese megastar has not played ball with that idea Real had regarding #Bale. He has sustained a relentless assault on collecting individual & collective team awards through his phenomenal goal scoring exploits since Bale arrived in #Madrid. Some may say Gareth’s non combative nature and him not having an ego to rival Ronaldo’s has played its part in holding Gareth back from going on to take the top dog spot at Madrid’s top table - who knows but it was never going to be easy. But what he has done is produce magic moments on the big stage - in finals, and played a vital role in this record breaking squad lead by the great @zidane. Whatever anyone has to say about him he has etched himself into the history of Real Madrid, a club that prides itself on winning the biggest prize in European club football. Now I feel it’s up to him to decide what he wants. Some will say he has nothing to prove & I understand that to a certain extent but does he want to go somewhere & be the main man & take on the full responsibility of a club who want to win? Or does he want to remain & continue in the role he is in now, as the supporting cast...? Personally I would love to see him come back to the @premierleague (preferably with @manchesterunited) & dominate. Write a new chapter as a leader of a club, the go to guy at all times, the icon....this is what the greats do in all sports not just football, it elevates them... 4 @championsleague winners medals, 3 #UCL finals goals 🔥

A post shared by Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) on May 28, 2018 at 7:03am PDT

"Four Champions League winners' medals, three Champions League finals goals - what more is there to do at Real Madrid for Gareth Bale?" Ferdinand wrote on Instagram.

"He was brought there to eventually take over the mantle as the team's talisman from Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Portuguese megastar has not played ball with that idea.

"But what he has done is produce magic moments on the big stage - in finals, and played a vital role in this record-breaking squad led by the great Zidane.

"Now I feel it's up to him to decide what he wants. Some will say he has nothing to prove but does he want to go somewhere and be the main man and take on the full responsibility of a club who want to win?

"Or does he want to remain and continue in the role he is in now, as the supporting cast? Personally I would love to see him come back to the Premier League (preferably with Manchester United).

"Write a new chapter as a leader of a club, the go-to guy at all times, the icon... this is what the greats do in all sports, not just football. It elevates them."

Bale finished 2017-18 with 21 goals and eight assists from 39 appearances for Madrid in all competitions.

Source: OPTA