22 June 2023 , 11:37
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Gareth Bale has been called out by an MLS stalwart after he offered some controversial advice to superstar Lionel Messi ahead of his impending switch to Inter Miami.
The Wales hero did, of course, round off his illustrious career with a stint at Los Angeles FC following a trophy laden nine years at Real Madrid. However, his stay in California was fleeting and he turned out for the fledgling US franchise on 12 occasions just before announcing his intention to hang up his boots following the World Cup in Qatar.
Fittingly for a player who scored in two Champions League finals, he came up with the goods in the last game of his club career with his 128th minute header — the latest goal in MLS history — forcing penalties in the MLS Cup final. Eventually, his team went on to win the shootout, securing the trophy for a first time in the club's history in 2022.
This eventful half-season at in MLS was enough time for the former Spurs forward to make some observations about the league, with the Welsh all-time record goalscorer expressing his views on the cultural differences between the league and the European competitions.
Contrasting the experience with his time turning out at Santiago Bernabeu, he offered that MLS players are not subject to the same level of scrutiny that he found in the Spanish capital. He explained that the inquests following a Los Blancos loss would be particularly intense, whereas the reaction would be slightly more relaxed stateside.
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Speaking to BT Sport, the ex-Spurs forward said: "It is a lot more chilled, If you lose at Real Madrid, it is like the world has ended. You are crucified. You feel down. You go home and you’re not happy. They accept losing a bit more."
"There is no consequence. You can’t get relegated over there. When you lose a game you go on to the next one. They accept losing a lot better over there."
Gareth Bale only spent a few months in MLS but left a lasting legacy (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)Bale's words did not resonate with one former MLS mainstay, who took issue with the five time European champion's remarks in relation to his experience of the league itself. A. J. DeLaGarza, who turned out for a host of US clubs including the LA Galaxy and Inter Miami, was quick to call out the retired superstar, revealing that the poor results do affect the players and also referencing the inferior wages players receive in comparison to other leagues.
Taking to Twitter, the three time MLS Cup victor said: "C'mon man. Ask our wives, our children, our parents, our friends how fun it was being around us after we lose games in MLS. We also don't have one of the highest payrolls in the entire football world."
With Messi gearing up to head to South Beach this summer, the world famous forward will certainly be readying himself for a fresh experience having spent the entirety of his career in Europe to date. If DeLaGarza's protestations are anything to go by, he certainly will not have it all his own way in the US, however.