Gareth Bale is training with Real Madrid at UCLA, the University of California, only 200 metres away from José Mourinho and Manchester United. The rumours always link the Welshman with the Red Devils but he has not intention of leaving the Spanish capital.
Bale spoke with the Spanish newspaper MARCA about his situation at the club and the rumours about a transfer to Manchester United: “I don’t read anything about this. Obviously, I’m a British player and I’m always linked with a return home. It happened with Beckham and other English players who came to Spain. Nothing new. I’m happy playing at Real Madrid. Obviously the interest is the interest, but if there isn’t anything concrete, an offer, there is anything to discuss”.
It was a very difficult season for Bale because of the injury problems, but he never thought about leaving the club: “Everything was complicated because of the injury, but nothing else. I can still play football very well. When I’m at the maximum, I’ll give everything again. I signed a long contract with Real Madrid and I’m happy at this club. I’m sure it will be a great season. This is my plan, score goals here”.
Now, the Welshman is focused on training and preparing the new season: “Making a good pre-season and starting at the 100% with the team. When I came back last season from an injury I was at 50%. I tried to improve but my ankle didn’t allow me so. My goal is getting fit and continue playing with Real Madrid”.
Gareth Bale has more competitors in his position, so it won’t be easy to be always in the line-up: “It’s possible, but this is why I’m here, in the best team of the world, to win all the possible trophies. We all want to play and we all work hard to win the place, but we are not eleven players. Zidane wants to continue rotating and there will be options for everybody. I think the most important thing is thinking we all win. I think in the past seasons we went well in La Liga or the Champions, but in the last one we won both because of the rotations. It gave us freshness, it’s a great methodology because the players have time to recover. It’s good because now we all have to give something in football”.
One of the players who can be in the line-up is Marco Asensio, who also plays in the same position in the pitch. Bale was no surprise by his performances: “No, he’s doing great, in the games and in the training sessions. He had brilliant moment last season and he’s a great player. I hope he continues in the same line this year. It’s normal having good players at Real Madrid”.
Finally, he spoke about his feelings after winning the Champions League in his home town, Cardiff: “To be honest, six weeks before the final I worked hard to arrive fit, so being on the bench was very gratifying, because if I wouldn’t do this job, I wouldn’t be there. I worked hard, 12 hours a day, to be available in the final, so I could have the ankle well. Enjoying these minutes were very gratifying. Holding the cup in front of my family and friends was amazing”.
