T'riffic lad, Crouchy
Gareth Bale celebrated his 29th birthday yesterday. 29th. It's hard to believe he's not still 23. He is one of those players who your brain always considers young, like Theo Walcott.
Anyway, he's 29, and to mark the occasion he tweeted out a couple of pictures of himself in training with Real Madrids, explaining the joys of pre-season, and thanking everyone for their birthday wishes.
https://twitter.com/GarethBale11/status/1018957561339539456
He's certainly not let the summer break get the better of him, keeping in immaculate shape as elite footballers should. Former teammate of Bale, Peter Crouch drew attention to this as he replied to the tweet to wish Bale a belated happy birthday.
The target man and professional banter merchant suggested that Bale had let himself go over the summer. A good old fashioned joke there, from one of the funniest men in football.
https://twitter.com/petercrouch/status/1018962952022626307
Bale's future is still undecided, as a chaotic summer at the Bernabéu unfolds. Ronaldo has gone, which could possibly allow Bale to take centre stage, unless they sign Eden Hazard as they are hoping too.
Going into next season, Stoke City boss Gary Rowett wants Crouch to stay and help the Potters compete in the Championship, a league in which Crouch should still be able to be prolific despite his age and lack of pace.
It will be a welcome contrast to last season, when Crouch had more funny tweets than goals for Stoke, who were relegated by Crystal Palace on the penultimate weekend of the season.
