Cristiano Ronaldo is going out of his way to show he doesn’t hate Gareth Bale

You might have heard that Ronaldo doesn’t like Bale. They had multiple on-pitch disagreements last season. Reporters have claimed that Real Madrid ask them not to print Bale’s transfer fee because Ronaldo doesn’t like hearing that he’s no longer the world record signing. In October, Bale’s agent felt the need to clarify that his client and Ronaldo do not hate each other. Jonathan Barnett managed to upset Ronaldo with that interview by referring to Ronaldo as an underwear model in a derisive manner. All of this led to rumors that Bale would be forced out of the club.

All of these concerns appear to have evaporated since the appointment of Zinedine Zidane despite rumors that Bale was unhappy with Rafa Benitez’s sacking. Benitez was Bale’s biggest backer because it was the only reason he got the Madrid job in the first place. He was a yes-man who was willing to make Bale undroppable, lest Madrid president Florentino Perez have his ego damaged by the Welshman failing to live up to his transfer fee. Zidane, seemingly, would not cater to Bale and Perez’s whims the same way Benitez did.

The Madrid that played on Sunday looked nothing like any Benitez or Carlo Ancelotti-era edition of Los Merengues. Ancelotti’s team scored gorgeous goals and delivered La Decima to the fans, but team goals that looked like this one -- and smiles that looked like these ones -- haven’t been seen since Bale was effectively swapped out for Mesut Özil two-and-a-half-years ago.

About two-thirds of the way through this move, Ronaldo -- who spent multiple games last season refusing to pass to Bale -- specifically looks for him when a run at goal or a tricky ball towards Benzema might be better options. Later, he let Bale take a direct free kick. There was no conversation. Ronaldo simply walked toward the box and Bale stepped up. When Bale kicked the ball into outer space, Ronaldo got on with the game without scowling in Bale’s direction.

Not long after that, Bale picked up an injury. Ronaldo immediately ran over, crouched down next to Bale and asked him if he was OK. Benzema soon followed.

Ultimately, this is nothing. It’s not uncommon for players to show concern for injured teammates. But the immediacy of his reaction and him staying with Bale until he came off the pitch was striking. It flies in the face of the narrative that they don’t like each other.

That narrative has probably always been stupid. Ronaldo wants to win trophies and play with great teammates. Bale is a great teammate to have. There’s a good chance that their relationship has always been a lot less sour than we’ve been led to believe.

Perception doesn’t matter when you’re winning trophies, but perception is reality when you’re in third place, so Ronaldo would do well to keep up appearances. And since Zidane’s appointment as manager, Ronaldo’s made a very serious, visible effort to show that Bale is not his enemy.

It’s unlikely that anything serious has changed. They’ve probably never hated each other and they’re probably not bros now, but Zidane has gotten them to project an image of mutual respect and admiration. They look like they’re having fun too. These can only be good things for Real Madrid.