Bale has to play for Real Madrid - Casemiro
Casemiro heaped praise on team-mate Gareth Bale following his return to Real Madrid's starting XI.
Gareth Bale must play for Real Madrid as he has helped deliver titles, insisted team-mate Casemiro.
Bale reminded Zinedine Zidane what he is capable of with an assist in an impressive performance as Madrid opened their LaLiga campaign by beating Celta Vigo 3-1.
The Wales star had been tipped to leave Madrid after head coach Zidane said last month it would be better for him to depart the Santiago Bernabéu, where Bale has won four Champions League titles and a LaLiga crown among other trophies.
"He's scored in finals and he has a lot of respect from us all"
Bale - who was linked with a move to the Chinese Super League - now looks set to remain in the Spanish capital, and Madrid midfielder Casemiro praised him following Saturday's triumph.
"He [Bale] has given us titles, he's scored in finals and he has a lot of respect from us all," Casemiro said. "He has to play. He's a great player and is very important for us."
"Everyone loves him and it is important that he plays for us" - Courtois
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois added: "He is an important player and played a great match. Everyone loves him and it is important that he plays for us. We are so happy with Bale."
It was a winning start for Madrid, who survived a Luka Modric red card as they overcame Celta with 10 men away from home.
Bale teed up Karim Benzema for the 12th-minute opener before Modric was sent off for catching Denis Suárez on the heel following a VAR review approaching the hour mark.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Madrid wrapped up all three points thanks to Toni Kroos and Lucas Vázquez, while Iker Losada netted a stoppage-time consolation.
"Pre-season was not easy for us, there were games in which we did not play well, but we knew we doing things right," Courtois said. "We feel good, today we showed that. We played a good game and we went ahead with 10 players. That is key.
"We knew that in the second half they were going to press us. In the one-on-one with Aspas I did well, made a good save. I have good reflexes and I got a hand to it. That helped give the team real confidence. We did well today but it is a shame not keep a clean sheet. We need to keep it up and work hard. Now we focus on Valladolid."