Cardiff: Gareth Bale is enjoying life at Spanish champions Real Madrid and has committed his future to the club, the Welsh international said after the side’s Champions League triumph, Saturday.
Bale, who joined the Los Blancos in 2013 from English football giants Tottenham Hotspur with a hefty fee, has scored 67 goals in 146 appearances and signed a contract extension in October to keep him at the club until 2022 but his future in Spain has been cast in doubt following a frustrating injury-riddled campaign.
“We are winning trophies and I am happy. I have signed a long-term contract with the club,” Bale is quoted as saying by the BBC after Madrid beat Juventus 4-1 in the final in Cardiff.
“My family is very happy and so am I. So yes we will continue what we are doing for over the years – play better football and win matches,” he added.
The title was Real Madrid’s third Champions League triumph in four years. The triumph also marked Bale’s seventh trophy with the Los Blancos but the 27-year-old remains hungry for more success.
“It’s the reason why I came to Real Madrid – to win trophies. We’re enjoying winning them (trophies) at the moment, so we’ll continue to do so,” Bale added.
“Three Champions Leagues in four seasons isn’t too bad. I think we can get better though. We are still quite young as a team and we have a great squad.”
Saturday’s victory was made sweeter for Bale as he became just the sixth player to win a European final in his home town Cardiff as well as the only Welshman to win the continent’s top trophy three times, surpassing former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs and Joey Jones.
“To play a final in your home city is incredible but to win it is even better, a great experience,” Bale said.
Reuters