Bale faces Ozil backlash: Ronaldo leads Real revolt over loss of German playmaker



Gareth Bale has not even stepped on to the Bernabeu pitch following his world-record £86million move, but already trouble is brewing in the Real Madrid dressing room.



The bond Mesut Ozil shared with his Real team-mates was obvious on Wednesday as a series of players voiced their support for the man Bale will replace — not least Cristiano Ronaldo.



The Portuguese superstar is reported to be upset at the loss of Ozil, who was also lauded by Alvaro Arbeloa, Isco and even Barcelona rival Cesc Fabregas.



VIDEO Scroll down to watch Gareth Bale: Moving to Real Madrid has been really stressful

Back in action: Gareth Bale arrives at Cardiff Airport as Wales squad travel to Macedonia

Training day: The Welshman is put through his paces after completing his world record move to Real Madrid

Enter the Dragons: Gareth Bale (centre) escapes a tackle from Ashley Williams (right) during Wales training

Still got it! The former Tottenham forward impresses teammates with his skills during a training session



Germany head coach Joachim Low expressed his ‘incomprehension’ at the decision.



It is hardly a dream start for Bale, who was even told by Real boss Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant, Englishman Paul Clement, he would have to fight for his place.

Angry: Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly complained to Portugal team-mates about Mesut Ozil's sale Running the show: Ronaldo trains for Portugal (left) and a waxwork model of his head (left) is prepared



In discussion? Ronaldo walks out to Portugal training with his Real Madrid team-mate Pepe (right)

Bale may have called Ronaldo ‘the boss’ but reports in Spain suggested that had not placated the Portugal forward. Newspaper AS said he told his national team-mates: ‘The sale of Ozil is bad news for me. He was the player who best knew my moves in front of goal. I’m angry about Ozil leaving.’

Isco, who joined Real from Malaga this summer, told Marca Ozil’s sale ‘surprised’ him, while former Liverpool defender Arbeloa said the 24-year-old would be badly missed. ‘It’s a shame,’ he said. ‘It’s a big loss to the dressing room, on a footballing level and on a personal level. There’s no player like him in the world. He makes the difference on the pitch.’



Admirer: Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco rated Ozil highly

In action: But new Arsenal signing Ozil's departure has been questioned by a host of Real Madrid's top stars

New colours: Ozil (left) showing off his new Arsenal shirt with Gunners striker Lukas Podolski

Fighting fit: Ronaldo reportedly expressed his anger to Portugal team-mates, training on Tuesday

Connection: Ronaldo (right) and Ozil celebrate scoring the Champions League in 2011

Sportsmail this week revealed how the deep affection for Ozil united a disjointed Real squad.



The admiration even stretched to Catalonia. Fabregas told a radio station: ‘I was really surprised by Ozil’s departure. He seemed to me the second-best player at Madrid after Cristiano.’



Low, who has guided Ozil’s entire national career, was dumbfounded. ‘It is incomprehensible for me that Real Madrid would sell the player who assisted an unbelievable amount of goals in the last two or three years,’ he said.



‘He is a player who is sensitive and needs to have the trust of the coach and his club. The last few days before his switch, you could tell that the trust maybe wasn’t 100 per cent there any more.’



Big fan: Germany manager Joachim Low knows Ozil is one of his best players

Friend and foe? Regardless, Alvaro Arbeloa and Cesc Fabregas both greatly respect Ozil



Tribute: Sergio Ramos posted this picture on Twitter of him proudly holding Mesut Ozil's last Madrid shirt

Strike a pose: Fellow attacking midfielder Isco was another player to question the sale of Ozil

He told Sportsmail: ‘Mesut is an intelligent player, he’ll be a great fit for Arsenal. Arsene Wenger’s imagination and creativity will be a great bonus for Mesut’s development.’



The belief that Ozil, already with one wonderful World Cup under his belt, can get even better was echoed by his father, Mustafa.



‘Mesut is still not at his top level,’ he said. ‘I’m sure there is 15 to 20 per cent to get out of him and Mr Wenger will help him to do that.



‘I would not see the Premier League as tougher than Spain. La Liga teams do not play with fewer players and they also play twice every week. He is physically prepared for that.



New man: Ozil was sold after the world-record £86million signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham

