Gareth Bale has poured cold water on any suggestion that there was a problem between himself and Cristiano Ronaldo when the former Manchester United star was at the Bernabeu.
There were rumours that the Welshman and the Portuguese super star endured a fractious relationship at the Bernabeu. The two global stars were acquired by the Blancos for record-breaking transfer fees.
A lot were expected from both forwards at the La Liga side, but they both had to battle for recognition. Ronaldo was undoubtedly the most popular at Madrid, with his goal-scoring abilities earning him a lot of individual honours.
Bale has been blasted for failing to step up following the departure of Ronaldo 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 left Madrid after nine successful years, Bale is currently in his sixth season with the 13-time UEFA Champions League winners. Since his move from England, he has won the La Liga title, four Champions League crowns and scored 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.”
Bale has been linked with a move back to England, with Manchester United named as a possible destination for the talented star.
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 the Spanish capital.