Gareth Bale has spoken of his excitement at becoming a ‘Galactico’ following his unveiling as a Real Madrid player.
A joyous crowd greeted the Welshman’s arrival at the Bernabeu on Monday, following his protracted, expensive move from Tottenham Hotspur.
The unveiling ceremony was met with raucous cheers, and there was even a moment when an image of Bale as a boy, wearing a Real replica jersey, was shown on the big screen.
That image perhaps gave credence to Bale’s typical footballer’s claim that he has always “dreamed” of playing for Los Blancos.
There has been vigorous debate as to whether or not Real even need Bale, and he is under no illusion that he faces a fight to make the first-team.
“I have a job to get into the XI. Every player here is world class. Madrid sign the best players in the world,” he said.
“I know I cannot walk straight into the team, I have to work hard. I am always looking to improve myself as a footballer, and that should not stop now.
“There is a lot more to come from me, I am here with the best players, the best coaches and with the best chance to keep improving. I have played in a lot of different positions.
“Wherever the coach thinks I can play my best football I will give 100%.”
There were also rumours that Real superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, was nonplussed to find that Bale was stealing his thunder.
But Bale has moved to smooth over any ill feeling between himself and CR7, by doffing his hat to the Portuguese goal machine as “the best player in the world.”
“Cristiano Ronaldo is for me the best player in the world,” Bale said.
“He is a massive factor why I wanted to come here. The team is full of world-class players, no better than him. It will be an honour to play with him, and hopefully learn from him. Hopefully we can win a lot of trophies together.”
“He’s the boss here I think, the main player, the best player in the world,” Bale continued, fawning over CR7.
“I want to obviously help the team and try to win trophies. I will have to wait and see what he says.”