Gareth Bale does not enjoy questions on his future. He made that much clear to the reporter who asked him about whether he had played his last game for Wales after they crashed out of Euro 2020 at the hands of Denmark.
Emotions were high after the 4-0 defeat in Amsterdam and the forward's reaction – storming off camera – was as much in disappointment of events on the field as to anger at the question.
It is a question, however, that Bale will need to answer, sooner rather than later. His dedication to his country is undeniable, demonstrated once again by galvanizing his side to rise out of Group A in second spot.
Reports have suggested that Gareth Bale (C) is contemplating retirement from club football
Bale still enjoys representing his country, as was clear during Wales' Euro 2020 campaign
But it is his desire to continue on the club scene, his drive for the day-to-day humdrum of the game that has been questioned by others, and that he must now be questioning himself.
At the age 31, reports suggest that he is preparing for his final season as a player. The Mirror reported last week that he plans to make this coming season at Real Madrid his last in the professional game, while hoping to spearhead one last international hurrah by firing Wales to World Cup in Qatar next winter.
It would mean Bale hanging up his boots at the age of just 32. That would have been unthinkable for a player that was once thought of as a natural heir to the evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu.
However, despite a move back to Spurs, he has been unable to reignite his love for the game
There is no doubting that Bale has the ability to match the longevity of the Portuguese star. In his time at Tottenham on loan last season, there was enough in his performances to suggest he is still more than capable of mixing it with the best.
But it is that most important of ingredients that has been lacking, and for some time now. Hunger.
Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid have long suspected his appetite for the top tier of the game has waned. Jose Mourinho, too, suggested it on more than one occasion at Spurs.
This was not the case when the player left Tottenham first time around, leaving White Hart Lane and idol status behind to pursue his dream of pulling on the white jersey of Real Madrid.
Bale rose to prominence during his stint at White Hart Lane, becoming a world renowned star
Then, the hunger was certainly evident. Just as it had been during his incredible rise to prominence in north London.
Bale recovered from the brink of a loan move to the Championship and a season with Birmingham, to become one of the most feared left-sided players on the planet – his performance at the San Siro against Inter in the Champions League forcing the continent to sit up and take note.
What followed was beyond even the highest of
