Real Madrid star, Gareth Bale, has penned down a contract extension with the club in a deal that would see him earn an astonishing £150 million over the next seven years. The Welshman was signed in 2013 for a then world record fee of £85 million and this is his first extension with Los Blancos.
Speaking about his new contract in a press conference, the former Tottenham Hotspur winger opined that he felt very happy at the capital and that his family is now “more settled,” despite being unsure about when he would retire.
“Yeah, for sure. The reason that I have signed [this extension] is that I am very happy. I feel comfortable, my Spanish is improving, my family is more settled. I don’t know when I am going to retire [but] I fully intend to see out my contract here.”
When queried about whether other clubs were interested in acquiring his signature, he claimed that he wasn’t aware of any such thing and that his full focus lies on representing the Galacticos.
Also read: Is Gareth Bale worth the wages of his new contract?
“I couldn’t tell you if anyone was interested. Since I have been here I have been fully concentrated on Madrid. I am happy here which is why I signed a deal. We never speak about these things [interest from other clubs]. If they have [asked about me], they have; we never really speak about it,” he stated.
Great decision to join Real
The former Southampton starlet then went on to reveal his childhood hobby of watching Real Madrid games, prompting him to believe that they are the biggest club in the world — a club that can’t be refused.
“It’s Real Madrid: it’s the biggest club in the world,” Bale said. “I grew up watching the Premier League and Real Madrid. When an opportunity comes up to pay for Real Madrid you don’t turn it down. I came here to learn a different type of football, to progress.”
Bale then went on to claim that joining the Merengues was a great decision since he has lifted the Champions League trophy twice in the last three years.
“I definitely made the right decision. I have won two Champions Leagues; that’s better than anyone in the last three years. I want to keep doing that. Real Madrid matches all my ambitions.”
The 27-year-old also added that he doesn’t see himself as much of a vocal leader and would rather lead by example via is performances on the pitch.
“I don’t really see myself as a speaking leader but I like to lead by example on the pitch,” he said. “The longer you stay at a club, the more integrated you become and the more leadership you get.”
Important to stay and fight, says Bale
The Welshman’s rise has been a stable one ever since he took off as a huge potential at Southampton. After destroying Maicon in the Champions League, he began to realise his true potential and has worked his way up to the highest honour. However, according to himself, it wasn’t an easy task.
“It’s been a difficult journey,” he admitted. “It’s hard for British players to go abroad. I have had my difficult times. It’s all a learning curve and I have grown as a person.
“There are bad moments in football but I think the important thing is how you react. It is easy to pack up and leave but it takes more character to stay and fight. I have grown up believing that if things are not right you work hard to make it right. The most important thing for me is that I feel happy here. I feel loved here by the fans.”
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