He’s a good player, but feck me he’s been picking up £750k a week for years while giving two fingers to Madrid. If this were United he’d be public enemy number 1, don’t kid yourself that international form would make a difference.
That is not really accurate though.
2017/18 Season played a lot of games, matchwinner in the CL final. Zidane chose to leave him out at times so not his fault.
2018/19 Season he played a lot for the team and only lost his place when Zidane returned.
2019/20 Season only 20 appearances but this was Zidane freezing him out and only after the club blocked his move to China.
2020/21 Season on loan at Spurs who paid a big loan fee of around 15M plus a chunk of his wages
2021/22 Season had a serious knee injury and then COVID but crucially is not used when he is available so not his fault.
The narrative that he is giving two fingers to Madrid is a media creation. Most of his absences from the team over the last few seasons prior to this one have been due to the Managers selection choices not his being unavailable and he has actively tried to leave only to see the moves vetoed by the club. Is he supposed to get off the bench and start playing even if his manager does not sub him on? Should he return his wages and say no thanks because they blocked him leaving and then won't play him?