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#2 Gareth Bale
The counter-logic to Gareth Bale’s inclusion is already being yelled by the fans to their screens: HE WAS INJURED FOR CHRIST’S SAKE! Yes, he was—and that is where the problem was. Whenever the club needed him, he wasn’t there—either due to injury or just a poor outing on the pitch.
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His injuries have been very unfortunate and have hindered the progress of a player that had the ability to win the Ballon d’Or—he still might have it—and have also hurt the club, who paid a then-record €100 million to acquire his services.
The Welshman’s best season at the Bernabeu was his first season, where his goals helped the club win the Copa del Rey and Champions League. However, ever since that season, he couldn’t replicate the heights that he had shown previously.
These days, he is more of an impact-substitute than an indispensable starter that he is supposed to be.
