'Wales-Golf-Madrid' Mijatovic: I don't want any more Gareth Bale controversies
Speaking at the AS Sports awards in Madrid, Mijatovic said he had no intentions of prompting the events that transpired following his comments about Bale.
The man that inspired the famous “Wales, Golf, Madrid” chant and flag, Real Madrid legend Predrag Mijatovic has said he doesn’t want "any more controversies” following his comments about Gareth Bale.
Mijatovic had commented on Bale’s supposed priorities in an interview on Spanish radio in October, prompting the now famous “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order” flag that appeared during Wales’ Euro 2020 qualifiers in November. Welsh fans also turned the ex-Madrid players’ words into a chant that became a hit during the international break.
Having found the funny side of the “Wales, Golf, Madrid” chants, Bale himself posed with the flag alongside his team mates after the Dragons’ secured qualification for Euro 2020 following their win against Hungary – something which drew the ire of Madrid fans and the Spanish press.
Such is the intense animosity for Bale among Madridistas, that the 30-year-old winger has been the subject of loud jeering in his two appearances at the Bernabéu since the incident.
Mijatovic: I like Bale
Speaking at the AS Sports Awards in Madrid on Tuesday, Mijatovic said he had no intentions of prompting the events that transpired following his comments about Bale, adding that he did not want to cause any more controversies.
"My intention was not this, I have already said that Bale has great qualities as a footballer and I have always liked him,” Mijatovic told AS TV.
“It is true that he makes mistake on some occasions and we have to comment on him as former players and former directors, but I don't want any more controversies, nor the flag nor to play a leading role.”
"What I want is for Madrid to play well and win all the possible titles. I'd rather not say anything else (about Bale) because we're going to bring it all up again. The most important thing is that Bale is back, he's playing and that's what we all want all.”