REAL MADRID

Bale: “I wasn’t surprised that Xabi was fired at Real Madrid”

Gareth Bale appeared on the podcast ‘Stick to Football Magazine’ where he talked about his time at Real Madrid and his possible move to United.

OLI SCARFF | AFP

Simón Escudero Andy Hall

Update: Mar 5th, 2026 16:03 EST

Gareth Bale didn’t hold back when he sat down for the Stick to Football Magazine podcast, where legends like Ian Wright, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes peppered him with questions about his time at Real Madrid.

The Welsh star spoke candidly about everything—Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, and even how close he came to joining Manchester United.

One of the first bombshells: he wasn’t surprised when Xabi Alonso was pushed out of Real Madrid.

“I wasn’t surprised they let Xabi go. At Real Madrid, if you step out of line, the players won’t have it… you just need to be a great man‑manager, not an exceptional tactician,” Bale said.

Bale nearly joined Manchester United

Bale revealed that before signing with Real Madrid, he was torn between two giants.

“Manchester United and Real Madrid were the two teams interested,” he explained.“United actually offered more than Madrid. I spoke with David Moyes, who was the coach at the time, but my heart was set on Madrid.”

That decision shaped his career—five Champions League titles, three LaLiga trophies, and a legacy few players can match.

On Florentino Pérez and the Champions League pressure

Bale also spoke about Real Madrid’s obsession with the Champions League and the presence of club president Florentino Pérez.

“Real Madrid prioritizes the Champions League. The president is there the day before the game, and you don’t want to disappoint him. He’s passionate about football and wants to leave a legacy. That’s what makes him the best president in the club’s history.”

Bale: “I wasn’t surprised that Xabi was fired at Real Madrid” — Helios de la Rubia

Inside the BBC era: Bale, Benzema, Cristiano

Bale reminisced about the legendary attacking trio—Bale, Benzema, Cristiano—known as the “BBC.”

“We understood each other perfectly. Karim was very calm, especially with Varane and the French guys. Everything just clicked. It was natural—we didn’t do much tactical work.”

He also described Cristiano’s evolution: “Cristiano had more flair at United. Two or three seasons after I arrived, he became a pure goalscorer. He was so driven—he only wanted to score.”

And on who was faster? “Was I the fastest at Madrid? Cristiano would say no, but I’d say yes.”

“He’s like a bulldog: even if he plays badly, he attacks you again and again.”
Gareth Bale, en Stick to FootballMagazine.

On scoring, leadership, and the locker room

Bale praised Ronaldo’s killer instinct: “The hardest thing in football is scoring goals, and Cristiano did it. You’d go into a match knowing he was going to score, and that gave you confidence.”

But when it came to leadership, Bale didn’t hesitate: “The leader? Ramos. Without a doubt. Cristiano was a leader in his own way, but the team’s leader was clearly Ramos.”

He recalled how loud and expressive Ramos was—especially when Bale didn’t yet understand Spanish.

He also praised Dani Carvajal, who arrived the same summer: “Carvajal? He’s like a bulldog. Even if he plays badly, he keeps coming at you. He was really useful.”

Ancelotti vs. Zidane: who was better?

Bale worked under both Ancelotti and Zidane—two of the most successful coaches in Real Madrid history.

“Zidane was respected for who he was as a player. Carlo’s man‑management was the best. Even if you didn’t play, he made you feel like his best friend. At Madrid, it’s not about being a tactical genius—it’s about managing players.”

He added: “Ancelotti was like your best friend, but if you didn’t train well, he’d go after you. He had the perfect balance.”

Zidane, he said, kept tactics simple: “We did the minimum—training, possession, shooting, and that was it. Fifteen minutes of defensive tactics. But he earned respect for what he was as a player.”

Still, Bale didn’t hesitate when asked who was the best coach he ever had: “Carlo Ancelotti.”

Training Ground Kings: Modric, Kroos, and… Hazard?

Bale named Luka Modric and Toni Kroos as the best players in training: “They never lost the ball. Isco too—he was the closest thing to Zidane I’ve seen.”

But when asked who struggled most, he mentioned Eden Hazard: “Chelsea guys would say the same. He injured his ankle and never fully recovered.”

The Viral Banner: “Wales. Golf. Madrid.”

Bale also addressed the infamous banner that went viral: “The Spanish press invented the golf thing. I played once every two or three weeks. They made it seem like I only played golf. I stayed professional. I could’ve denied it publicly, but I didn’t think that was the right move.”

A misunderstood star

Bale closed by reflecting on his complicated relationship with the Madrid fanbase: “I just wanted to play football, go home, and be with my family. In Madrid, they want you to give interviews and be a star, but that wasn’t me. I felt attacked by the press more than I should have. But I didn’t change—I stayed true to myself.”