Gareth Bale says Real Madrid system under Rafa Benitez suits his style of play

Gareth Bale has been deployed in a central role under Rafa Benitez

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale spoke of life as a Galactico two seasons after he made the high-profile switch from Tottenham Hotspur, his evolution as a player as well as how the La Liga differs from the Premier League.

“You could say Spain is the best league, but the Premier League is probably the most competitive,” Bale says. “Bottom could beat top any week.”

“It’s two different styles,” he adds. “The British way is fast: hard-tackling, physical, end-to-end. Here, it’s more tactical, more about possession.”

Bale speaks about central role at Real Madrid

The Welshman, who is set to welcome his second child with partner Emma, has opened up about life in the Spanish capital and has gone on to state how he is enjoying a more central role that manager Rafael Benitez has handed him this season, as compared to his role on the wing under former manager Carlo Ancelotti.

“The system suits my style of play,” he says. “I feel like that’s my position. At Tottenham in my last season, I spoke with Andre Villas-Boas about playing in the middle more. I feel like I can drift into areas, find the space, and when I get the ball I can attack.

“Maybe I’m not a typical no.10 who’s more of a playmaker; I’m a player that gets the ball in space and attacks through the middle, rather than down the sides.”

Bale also noted that moving abroad made him a more mature, responsible player, with the 26-year-old credited with single-handedly firing Wales to Euro 2016. Real Madrid’s torrid 2014/15 season also instilled wisdom in the world’s most expensive player.

“I feel like I’ve grown up,” Bale says. “Especially since I’ve come over. You’re not in your comfort zone anymore, and you have to deal with things. Maybe last year I didn’t play so well in the second half of the season. In a way, I’m quite glad it happened. You learn more from when things aren’t going well than if you were just winning.

Bale helped Wales qualify for Euro 2016

Bale reveals why he is still struggling with Spanish

“It is difficult, and I’ve realised why British players have maybe found it difficult in the past. But I’m enjoying the challenge.”

The language barrier is another problem for any foreign player at Madrid, but it hasn’t fazed the player one bit.

“There’s obviously a few who speak English – Toni Kroos does, so we speak a lot. Luka Modric speaks English. Mateo Kovacic speaks English. Cristiano [Ronaldo], [Alvaro] Arbeloa. All the medical staff. Rafa speaks it.

“So I get by. The thing is, most people want to practise their English on me, so I’m not learning Spanish so quickly. I did a Spanish interview at the start of the season. Which nobody understood.”

Bale does not see his future in football after retirement

When the topic of life after Bale hangs up his boots was broached, the player stated that he would most likely spend a lot of time playing his second passion – golf. But he isn’t sure about his extent of involvement in football after he retires from the game.

“I don’t feel like I’m the ‘coach’ type, to be honest. I’ve got other interests outside of the game. I’m not 100 per cent sure, but at the moment I’m not really thinking about going into football, after football.”