I guess its a case of what motivates people. Bale is clearly motivated by money because 1. He is unwilling to take a pay cut and move somewhere in Europe and 2. Whilst he still has a lot to offer he is willing to go to China to play in a nothing league. I personally prefer people that are motivated by a challenge or by their love of the game.
Thats the difference between Cantona and Bale. Cantona played football because he loved it. Bale doesnt play football for the love of the game because he'd rather sit on the bench and collect a paycheck. Cantona would rather retire from football because he didnt feel the love for the game than just go through the motions for a paycheck. Bale is driven only by money because he could name any club in Europe that would take him, and clubs that could compete for top honours, but he'd rather go to a nothing league jsut for the money.
Some people dont like characters like that.
But he is not the same as Cantona. Not even comparable.
They're not comparable, except in the ways they are.
If Cantona was retiring today, maybe he would go to China for the million a week instead, we don't know.
Let's go with your idea that bale has fallen out of love with the game (like Cantona)
If that's the case, why would he take a pay cut to play for a European side? We don't even know if any team that would win trophies would want him.
Both players clearly feel like they had proven themselves and were finished as players in a top European league.
One chose to retire, the other has chosen to make a huge amount of money for himself, that's the only real difference.
I think the problem is you're under the assumption that Bale never loved football, which is, of course, utterly ridiculous.