Gareth Bale has endured arguably the toughest spell of his career in recent weeks but has the perfect opportunity to silence his critics when Real Madrid face Barcelona in Sunday s Clasico at Camp Nou.
Having adapted well since his mega-money move from Tottenham winning the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League in his debut season a recent lean spell has attracted fierce criticism.
Spanish media have questioned his commitment to the side both on and off the field, while Real fans have made their feelings clear inside the Bernabeu.
So strong has the criticism been that club president Florentino Perez, coach Carlo Ancelotti and Ballon d Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo have all been moved to back the winger of late.
Bale s form despite having been part of a wider Real slump has even dragged sections of the British and Spanish press into disagreement.
It all represents something of a new experience for the 25-year-old, who enjoyed a relatively low-profile in the media prior to the stunning 2012-13 season at Tottenham that earned him his dream Real move.
Said to be shy and retiring away from the pitch, it is perhaps apt that Bale has the ideal opportunity to let his football do the talking and brush off criticism in the season s second Clasico.
Bale s brace against Levante last week did little to stop the criticisms as the Wales star celebrated his first by covering his ears in blatant response to the fans, before deflecting a Ronaldo shot in for his second.
A similar showing against fierce rivals Barca would surely put a more definitive stop to the unwanted discussion around his form.
