Luka Modric has leapt to the defence of Gareth Bale following the Welshman's Real Madrid exit which saw him return to Tottenham on loan.
Since his €100m move to the Santiago Bernabeu, he has won two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, and no less than four Champions League titles.
However, in the last 18 months or so of his career in the Spanish capital he drastically fell down the pecking order, with head coach Zinedine Zidane losing faith in his abilities.
Long been a target of the Spanish media, Bale has been criticised in the past for not speaking the native language or spending too much time on the golf course.
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However, Modric says Bale was a consummate professional - and that he did actually speak Spanish.
"I have been with Gareth most of my professional life and he is a spectacular guy," Modric said to COPE.
"He is shy, similar to me.
"What is said about him is not fair, they judge him in recent years but what he has done at Madrid is something impressive and he will always be remembered as a player who has done a lot for the club.
"He has never had any problems in the dressing room, he is a great guy. He spoke Spanish, he joked with us. "
Modric believes that, as time passes, Bale's time at Madrid will receive more appreciation from pundits and fans.
"In recent years many things have come out and they have forgotten what he has done," the Croatian added.
"When time passes they will remember him and how important he has been.
"Every person has their own behaviour. He was like that, he didn't associate much, but in the dressing room he was very good. It makes me sad that everything he has done has been forgotten in the last year."
Bale secured a return to Spurs on loan, returning to the club with whom he spent six years before the big money move to Spain.
Luka Modrić 
Tottenham 
