Real Madrid legend and former sporting director Jorge Valdano had harsh words for Gareth Bale after his performance in El Clasico.

Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett came to his client’s defence and shrugged off the comment as irrelevant.

“It comes from nothing so it is taken as nothing,” Barnett told ESPN FC.

It comes after Valdano stated that the Welshman hasn’t justified his €100m price-tag since he arrived in 2013, and has been under-performing consistently throughout.

Barnett’s response was triggered by comments Valdano made to Cadena Ser: “Bale’s price left the fantasy that he is world class, but his last five seasons do not match what Real Madrid paid for him.”

“He can score the goal of the season any year, and that must be applauded, but [other players like] Sergio Ramos are consistent throughout the season and have also scored historic goals for Real Madrid.

“Bale is one of many players at Madrid who play very freely, he had the job to follow Jordi Alba, and his concentration lasted just seven minutes.”

“Alba was completely free to set up the first goal. There are players in the squad who, like Bale, think they are so important they can do whatever they want. That goes against the collective.”

Bale has scored 92 goals in 201 games in all competitions for Real, and scored a sensational overhead kick to help Los Blancos beat Liverpool in the Champions League final last May.

However, the 29-year-old has been troubled by injuries during his career and he and his team are now suffering in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, having scored just 14 La Liga goals in 10 games this season.