The Match That Made Luka Modrić & Gareth Bale Hate Cristiano Ronaldo

The tensions between Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Luka Modrić at Real Madrid were not solely a result of a single match but rather a culmination of on-field incidents and interpersonal dynamics over time.

Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo: A Strained Partnership

One notable incident occurred during a 3–0 victory over Espanyol in January 2015. Bale opted to shoot on goal rather than passing to Ronaldo, who was in a better position to score. This decision led to visible frustration from Ronaldo and boos from the Bernabéu crowd . Despite Bale's earlier goal in the match, the incident highlighted underlying tensions between the two forwards.

Further strain was evident in a subsequent match against Valencia, where Bale again chose to shoot instead of passing to an unmarked Benzema. Both Ronaldo and Benzema expressed their displeasure, and reports indicated that the dressing room was upset with Bale's decision-making .

Luka Modrić and Cristiano Ronaldo: A Clash of Personalities

The relationship between Modrić and Ronaldo was also tested during their time at Real Madrid. In his autobiography, Modrić recounted an incident during a Copa del Rey match where José Mourinho reprimanded Ronaldo for not chasing down an opponent's throw-in, leading to a heated exchange between the two. Modrić observed Ronaldo in tears during halftime, feeling misunderstood despite his efforts.

Conclusion

While individual matches like the Espanyol game spotlighted the tensions between Bale and Ronaldo, the underlying issues were rooted in broader team dynamics and individual personalities. These incidents contributed to a complex relationship among the trio during their time at Real Madrid.