BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — A one-of-a-kind talent who scored incredible goals at the most critical moments, or an aloof loner who cared more about golf than the sport he was paid millions to play?
Real Madrid appeared to have both in Gareth Bale.
Bale ended his seven seasons at Madrid on Saturday when he returned on a season-long loan to Tottenham, the club he left in 2013 to come to Spain.
When he arrived in Madrid for a then-record 100 million euros (then $132 million), his new fans knew Bale as the tall Welshman who could single-handedly win games with his elegant long gait and spectacular goals.