Gareth Bale has hit back at recent criticism he has faced after a scintillating performance for the Wales national team.
The Real Madrid man scored an astonishing free kick in the 25th minute, before finding the back of the net again in sublime fashion six minutes into the second half to lead Wales to a 2-1 victory over Austria in their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday night.
The winger has had hardly any playing time under Carlo Ancelotti in Spain this season, a continuation of his story during his time with Zinedine Zidane.
The 32-year-old has been once again plagued by injury in this campaign, having played only four LaLiga games for Los Blancos due to knee, calf and back issues.
In 2022, Bale has played just 74 minutes for the Spanish giants, but signs of any lack of match sharpness were non-existent in the Dragons' latest win.
Having faced some harsh criticism from Spanish media for his unavailability for Barcelona's 4-0 drubbing of Real last weekend, Bale saw it fit to respond to the narrative.
"I'm not sending a message to anyone," he told Sky Sports of his badge-kissing celebration, as per Firstpost.
"It's a waste of my time. It's disgusting and they should all be ashamed of themselves.
"I can hit a free-kick if I am fit to play.
"It was nice to see it go in and give us that momentum, and nice to get the second one as well.
"I had some cramp at the end, which is normal.
"I'll run myself into the ground for this country, we all did tonight."
Wales will have the opportunity to go to their first FIFA World Cup in 64 years if they win their next play-off match.
