Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has jumped to the defence of Tottenham loan signing Gareth Bale.

Modric was the closest player to Bale inside the Real locker room.

He told El Partidazo de COPE: "I have spent most of my professional career with Gareth. What I can say is that he is a spectacular guy. He is shy and what is said about Gareth is not fair. They judge him for the last years and what he has done in Madrid is impressive.

"He spoke a little Spanish in the dressing room. In recent years a lot of things have come out and they forget everything he has done.

"Everyone has their own behavior and the way of transmitting it. Gareth didn't associate much, but in the dressing room he was fine. I am sorry that we will forget everything he has done for the last year and a half."