Gareth Bale has dashed hopes the hopes of Chelsea and Manchester Unite fans by signing a new six-year contract with Real Madrid that is worth a staggering £10 8million after tax. His wages, make Bale the highest paid player in the world behind Messi and Ronaldo.
Asked if he might finish his career in Spain the former Tottenham star said:
‘Yes, for sure. The reason I signed is that I’m very happy here. I feel very comfortable, my Spanish is improving, my family is more settled and I fully intend to see out my contract here.’
‘It’s Real Madrid, it’s the biggest club in the world,’ he said. ‘I grew up watching English football but also watching Real Madrid. When an opportunity came up for me to play here it was not one that I was going to turn down.
‘I came here to learn a different type of football and to progress as a player. And looking back I feel that I definitely made the right decision. History shows that it is not easy for British players to play in Europe but it is something I wanted to do.
‘It’s been a difficult journey. There have been good times and some difficult times too but the most important thing is that I feel loved here by the fans and I want to give everything for them and for the shirt and win more trophies.’
He admitted that there had been a dip in his second season but with European Cups in his first and third campaign the net balance is overwhelmingly positive.
‘You are going to get good press and bad press here and it’s best not to take too much notice of it. You have to just keep working hard.’
Unless he or his family was homesick it is hard to see why he would want to return to England. He is the third highest paid player in the world and has won two Champions League trophies in three seasons. That combination is difficult for any other club to match.
