Gareth Bale: Playing for Wales “definitely” more exciting than Real Madrid
Wales captain Gareth Bale has admitted representing his country is “definitely” more exciting than when playing for club side Real Madrid.
Bale and Wales play Azerbaijan on Saturday in a game which Ryan Giggs’ side must win to stand any hope of automatic qualification for Euro 2020.
Bale vs Madrid: Five things to know…
- Gareth Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 for £80m.
- The Welshman has won four Champions League with Los Blancos, scoring in two finals.
- However, he has struggled to settle in Spain, leading to Bale falling out with Madrid and their fans.
- Bale was linked with leaving Madrid in the summer, but a proposed move to China fell through.
- And he has risked further wrath of Madrid fans, by revealing his preference of playing for Wales.
Wales must win against both Azerbaijan on Saturday and then Hungary on Tuesday whilst hoping Slovakia drop points against Croatia or Azerbaijan on the same matchdays.
Bale is Wales’ main man and is universally loved there – something which he cannot say about his club side.
Speaking to the media ahead of Wales’ game on Saturday, he said: “With Wales, I’m speaking my own language and feeling more comfortable.
“I definitely have a bit more excitement playing for Wales.
“I’ve been with most of the players, especially the older ones, since we were in the Under-17s. It’s like playing with your mates down the park on a Sunday.
“But it still doesn’t change what I give on the pitch. I always give 100% wherever I am, and that’s what I always strive to do.”
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Wales offers Bale an escape
Gareth Bale has not trained for Real Madrid since October due to a calf injury but has been included in the Wales squad and is expected to play in both qualifiers. As you would have expected, this hasn’t gone down well in the Spanish capital.
Bale is clearly desperate to leave the club after their relationship turned sour, despite the fact that his record for the Galacticos is simply sensational. In 238 games for Los Blancos, Bale has scored 104 goals including two in seven this season.
Bale will welcome this international break with open arms as it offers him a week where he doesn’t have to be in Madrid. Hopefully, for him, he will soon never have to return.
