Bale handed Real Madrid lifeline and could be involved in Champions League final

Gareth Bale could make the Champions League final against Liverpool his final appearance for Real Madrid - but he must return to full fitness before next Saturday.

The 32-year-old was absent from Los Blancos' final game of the domestic season, a 0-0 draw with Real Betis, and is all but confirmed to finally be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu after nine years when his lucrative contract expires next month. Post-match, Carlo Ancelotti revealed why Bale was omitted from the squad and hinted at his chances of featuring against Jurgen Klopp 's side.

"He wasn't on the bench tonight because he wasn't fit," Ancelotti explained following Friday's LaLiga fixture. "He wanted to say farewell to the fans here at the stadium. He's got one last chance because he'll be fit for the final."

The Welshman's last appearance for his club came on April 9, having been booed by supporters during a 2-0 victory over Getafe. Now, though, Bale is set to embark on a new chapter which he will hope includes a trip to Qatar for the World Cup later this year.

Following last summer's European championships, there were rumours that the Wales superstar would retire. Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, has already stated that the winger will decide on his club future depending on the outcome of the World Cup qualification play-off final in Cardiff on June 5 against either Scotland or Ukraine.

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Bale will miss his national team's initial training camp which starts on Monday in Portugal, as Rob Page's side prepare to firstly face Poland on June 1 for a Nations League group-stage clash.

Page has already approved of reports which suggest that Bale is considering a move to hometown club Cardiff City. "It ticks all the boxes," the Dragons boss declared. "Ultimately, it's Gareth's decision and Cardiff City's. And I think he's right to say, 'let's throw full focus on to the 5th'. Let's get there first and have that discussion.

"We can carry on talking about it and guess and have our opinion on it, and it does make sense. It makes a lot of sense. He can base himself at a training ground he's familiar with. Ultimately, let's see what happens on the 5th and I'll probably be the first one after the game to ask the question.

"If he was playing for Cardiff and we had qualified for the World Cup I wouldn't change my thoughts or respect for Gareth whatsoever. He would definitely be a part of the World Cup squad anyway. As long as he is out playing football - that's the most important thing for us."