GARETH BALE HAS moved to rubbish any suggestion that there was a rift between he and Cristiano Ronaldo during the Portuguese superstar’s time at Real Madrid.
Two global icons were acquired by Los Blancos for record-breaking transfer fees. Big things were expected of them at the Santiago Bernabeu, but both had to fight for their share of the spotlight.
Ronaldo was unquestionably the talismanic presence in Madrid, with his goalscoring exploits seeing him take his haul of Ballons d’Or to five while collecting countless other major honours.
Bale often found himself operating in the shadow of an illustrious colleague, and has faced accusations of failing to step out of that position since seeing the 34-year-old head to Juventus.
The Wales international is, however, adamant that there was never any bad blood between two men eager to do their best on an individual and collective level.
Bale told BT Sport’s ‘What I Wore’: “Cristiano is an incredible player, I thoroughly enjoyed playing with him. Obviously the media try and hype up these problems which were never there. We got on really well.
“He’s an incredible player and what he did for the club with the amount of goals he scored, an incredible player and he is still going now.”
While Ronaldo departed Madrid after nine memorable seasons, Bale is currently taking in a sixth in the Spanish capital. During that time he has landed one La Liga title, four Champions League crowns and recorded over 100 goals.
Questions continue to be asked of his ongoing presence amid form and fitness concerns, but the 29-year-old is convinced that he made the right decision in leaving Tottenham for Spain in 2013.
He said of that switch: “I appreciated everything Tottenham had done for me but I think they did understand at the time that when such a big club comes in for you like Real Madrid, it is difficult to turn them down.
“Even though I was enjoying my time at Tottenham, loved the club and I still do, to have Real Madrid come for you, you’ll regret saying no.”
It has been suggested that Bale could retrace his steps to north London this summer, while Manchester United have been mooted as another potential Premier League landing spot.
His agent has sought to quash the transfer talk at regular intervals, but the rumours appear set to continue as the former Spurs star struggles to silence his critics in Madrid.
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Well you won’t be winning any titles with the Rangers anyway butty
I’ve a feeling they’re going to slip up again
@Ardmore02: crack a Rodgers character joke. Go on ya know you want you
If for no other reason but your management of the most sectarian club in the world I do hope city win the title
@Martin Brennan: I’d say you’ve quite a few reasons.
@Martin Brennan: come out ye black and tans
What about the time you wanted to go to Chelsea. Wouldn’t believe a word you say
Overrated anyway
Complete legend, how does Scholes, Chadwick, Djemba, etc get mentioned same breath. And great to see him resurrect Rangers again. Deplorable league being won at a canter by 1 club 4 2 long now. Well done Mr. Liverpool
@Virgil Van Rock:
Ah lad come on ffs. What’s with the Djemba and Chadwick obsession? Every United fan knows they were wasters. The man living in Jupiter knows Scholes was a class act. Try again horse. I was a big fan of Gerrard in his playing days, he’s still hurting bad from the slip, and in fairness, he doesn’t try mask it either.
@Virgil Van Rock: Liverpool fans have the worst opinions on football haha Scholes is miles better than Gerrard and I’m a Barca fan Scholes controlled the game better than Gerrard could have dreamed of doing
@Gary: as footballers they were completely different. In my opinion it’s pointless comparing them as they both brought their own separate qualities to Liverpool and United. As a Liverpool fan, I rate Scholes, Keane and Henry as the three best players the league has seen but there’s no denying Gerrard was an exceptional footballer who carried an average Liverpool on his shoulders for many years.
@Gary: Scholes gets better with each passing year. Never once won the united player of the year.
@The Bloody Nine: completely right gerrard and scholes two completely differnt players. Scholes as he got older controlled the tempo of the game. Stevie G was roy of the rovers stuff magic moments when needed. In the premiership era our own mr roy keane was the greatest. What a f..king player he was.
@Virgil Van Rock: ressurect to what? Well done for MORE SLIPS. Must be contagious, baton to Karius and now to another fall guy NO DOUBT. dropped baton more appropriate!
@Virgil Van Rock: Funny how all the best playera in La Liga rated Scholes above Mr. Slippy. Much more natural talent there anyways rather than an overated work horse.
@The Bloody Nine: Nah Gerrard is not on Scholes level simple as that people don’t appreciate Scholes but if Scholes was Spanish he’d be up with Xavi and Iniesta
@Conor Pocock: Judging players off player of the year? Haha
@Gary: can’t remember too many matches when scholesy grabbed the game by the scruff , yeah great player alright but too quiet , Gerard leagues above him , yeah granted the red lad has more medals etc
@Gary: it would be unfair to judge people off Balon Dor or PFA player of the year alright. But club player of the year when held in the regard Scholes I think is fair enough. An excellent player nobody disputes but overrated.
Oh no
Ya spoke too soon Stevie………….sap
Ya spoke too soon Stevie
Someone should be taking bets on who the NEXT slip guy or fall guy will be that WILL stop that lot taking a title.
Ya spoke too soon Stevie, silly sausage
Apparently Stevie spoke too soon
Ya spoke too soon Stevie, silly muppet