Graeme Souness labels part of Gareth Bale’s career as “a joke” in harsh analysis

"It's as if he prioritises golf nowadays."

Graeme Souness has questioned Gareth Bale's career choices, even labelling a certain part of it as "a joke" when discussing the Welshman's professional journey to date. Bale score a late penalty against the USA to secure a draw for Wales in their World Cup opener, but he was largely ineffective throughout the game before that. Currently plying his trade in America, the ITV pundit doesn't believe that the MLS is where a player of Bale's quality should be performing, and didn't hold back when it came to dissecting the former Real Madrid star's career. "I think for Wales to do well Gareth Bale has to have moments of real quality," said Souness. "He's a mystery for me Gareth Bale, okay at 33, he maybe shouldn't still be at Real Madrid, but we talk about players having longevity now because of the science that's involved and keeping players fit - he should still be a big player at a big club.

"He's a complete mystery. What I read, and what you see in the television, it's as if he prioritises golf nowadays. Your career goes in a flash, it just goes too quickly, he should still be at the highest level.

"His last couple of years at Real Madrid were a joke for someone with that quality. What a player he's been, and he's still capable of great moments but you won't see too many of those great moments. "A bit like Messi, a bit like Ronaldo, still capable, but it's not going to be happening on a regular occurrence." Although Bale's Real Madrid career started of brilliantly and resulted in many trophies and big nights, the latter parts of his time there were spent mostly on the bench. Related links:

• I thought he was the worst player: Agbonlahor tears into Gareth Bale's performance
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• Graeme Souness goes out of his way to remind British viewers of Irish treatment live on ITV