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Bale nowhere near being a Real Madrid leader – Mijatovic

Gareth Bale lacks the qualities to be the leader Real Madrid need now that Cristiano Ronaldo is not at the club, according to former forward Predrag Mijatovic.

The injured Bale had to be taken off at half-time of Thursday's 2-2 La Liga draw with Villarreal, when Madrid were leading 2-1.

It was the 11th occasion this season that the Wales international has been substituted in the top flight and the 15th in all competitions, underlining the persistent problems he has had with injuries over the last three campaigns in particular.

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And Mijatovic, who won four trophies with Madrid between 1996 and 1999, has questioned whether Bale can fill the void left by record goalscorer Ronaldo, who joined Juventus in a €112 million (£101m/$128m) deal in July.