Gareth Bale: Wales talisman is an unused substitute as he wins second La Liga title

Wales talisman Gareth Bale was an unused substitute as Real Madrid won their 34th La Liga title following a 2-1 win over Villarreal.

It was the sixth consecutive game that Bale, who celebrates his 31st birthday today, has not featured for the Spanish giants as Zinedine Zidane’s men reclaimed the title from rivals Barcelona, who were crowned champions in the last two seasons.

After holding off a second-half comeback from Granada on Monday, Madrid needed one win from their remaining two games to secure top spot.

And a brace from Karim Benzema ensured they got the job done against Villarreal to wrap up the league with a game to spare.

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It is the second La Liga title Bale has won with Los Blancos after lifting the trophy in 2017.

Bale has now won 16 trophies since his arrival from Tottenham seven years ago, but played a bit-part role in this season’s title triumph having been consigned to 16 league appearances.

The Welshman, who has landed four Champions League titles during his time in the Spanish capital, has played less than 100 minutes of football since football returned from the coronavirus-enforced break.

Bale has, however, grabbed the headlines in recent week for his behaviour on the substitutes bench after he pulled his face mask over his eyes and pretended to sleep during Madrid’s win over Alaves last week.

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The winger was then caught using medical tape to produce some makeshift binoculars as he watched the game against Granada from the stands.

Bale, who joined Madrid for a then-record world fee of £86m in 2013, has managed 105 goals during his time with the club but has endured a difficult season at the Bernabeu.

He was set to depart for the Chinese Super League last summer before Madrid pulled the plug on the deal at the 11th hour, although there is speculation that his time at the club is coming to an end.

[Featured image: Lewis Mitchell]