SOCCER
Gareth Bale talks Real Madrid, living in Spain and his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo
The former Galactico reflected on his spell in the Spanish capital, during which he won five Champions Leagues but eventually fell out of favour.
Gareth Bale called time on his glittering career last December after guiding the Wales national team to the World Cup for the first time in 64 years.
The Welshman played for Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and ended his club career in MLS with LAFC. But it was with Real Madrid that he enjoyed greatest success, winning LaLiga three times and being crowned European champion on five occasions.
Bale won every trophy available during his time in the Spanish capital but he ended his Madrid career as a bit-part player after slipping down the pecking order. Despite the success he divided opinion in Madrid and was often the target of fans’ ire during his final seasons at the club.
In an interview with British publication The Times, Bale reflected on his eight-year career with Los Blancos and addressed perceptions of him in Spain.
On his dream to play for Real Madrid
Bale built his reputation as an elite talent after moving from Southampton to Tottenham Hotspur in 2007. He morphed from a promising full back into a game-changing forward, starring in the Champions League for Harry Redknapp’s Spurs side.
But by 2013 he had outgrown the London team and made the switch to Spain to join Real Madrid. Speaking to The Times, Bale explained that the presence of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo were key to his decision to sign for Madrid.
“It was the reason why I joined, to play with those two and the others behind me with Modric, Xabi Alonso and then [Toni] Kroos signed,” Bale explained. “I felt it was just an incredible opportunity to go to a club where it had amazing players.”
However it wasn’t all easy going for Bale in Madrid.
“I wanted to play for Madrid, for the pristine white shirt, and there were some incredible moments,” he said. “But also there were some hard times when you feel very lonely when everybody gets on your back and you’re getting whistled and booed, especially the first time.”
On his time in the Spanish capital
Towards the end of his time in Madrid there was a suggestion that Bale had struggled to adapt to life in Spain. However that is an impression that Bale now rejects, saying that he just preferred to live a more low-key life.
“We weren’t just stuck in the house... We had our quiet spots scattered around that we felt comfortable with, got to know the owners and we’d go a little bit earlier because they ate very late.”
Language was also a point of controversy during Bale’s time in Spain. He rarely spoke Spanish in public and did not play up to the ‘Galactico’ image that Madrid often projects.
“I could speak Spanish but I wouldn’t want to because I just wanted to keep everything private and quiet and not have this big fuss around me.”
On his relationships with Ronaldo and Zidane
Bale’s spell at the Santiago Bernabeu was one of the most successful periods in the club’s illustrious history, one that featured some of the most celebrated players to wear the famous white shirt.
There have been suggestions that Bale was sometimes ostracised from the bulk of the Madrid squad and had a difficult relationship with star player Cristiano Ronaldo; that’s a claim that the Welshman rejects.
“The players were all good. I know people speak all this [about my relationship with Ronaldo] but I never had one single problem with anybody.”
“Even through the hard times, it was good in the changing room. I honestly really enjoyed my time there apart from the few moments where it was difficult on the pitch.”
Likewise Bale said that he enjoyed working with former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane.
“We never had any argument, any heated discussion. There was never any problem in terms of bad behaviour, it was more just we didn’t see eye to eye on a few things.”
“I still to this day think he was one of the greatest players to watch. The things he did with the ball was incredible.”