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Gareth Bale admits Real Madrid boos have knocked his confidence

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Getty Images

Gareth Bale admits his confidence has been knocked by jeering Real Madrid fans, insisting he cannot understand the rationale of booing.

The Welshman has enjoyed a hugely successful period with Los Blancos since his 2013 switch from Tottenham, playing a pivotal role in four Champions League triumphs, winning 14 titles in total.

The winger has on multiple occasions been the subject of whistles from the Madrid fans throughout his seven-year spell. however, the negativity has stepped up since he celebrated alongside a banner reading 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that Order' following Wales' Euro 2020 qualification.

Bale understands there will be scrutiny if he doesn't play well, but states booing does not help - it only hinders performance further.

"We get a lot of pressure every game. If you don't play well, there's scrutiny," Bale told US golf podcast The Eric Anders Lang Show.

Bale has joined Madrid training ahead of a La Liga return (Getty Images)
Bale has joined Madrid training ahead of a La Liga return (Getty Images)

"I've had 80,000 people in a stadium whistle at me because I haven't played well. I've had it a few times! It's not nice and it doesn't do your confidence any good either."

Asked why he thinks fans boo, Bale sais: "This is the biggest question and I just don't get it.

"You would expect that if you're not having a good time on the pitch, your fans would get behind you and try to help you do better because it'll make them happy.

"But it seems that they do the opposite. They whistle you, which consequentially makes you feel worse, you lose your confidence, you play worse and then that makes them even more upset."

"In football, you might play amazing, not score for five games, and then everyone says you're having a terrible time," Bale added.

"You think to yourself that you're playing well, you just haven't scored or assisted. But people just like goals, assists and 'wow' things. Sometimes that doesn't always happen."

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