Gareth Bale has been offering guidance to Real Madrid’s superstar, Jude Bellingham. That is on how to thrive in the bustling metropolis of the Spanish capital.
Since the Englishman’s arrival at the Bernabeu in the summer, he has arguably emerged as the world’s top player. Netting 11 goals and providing three assists in a mere 12 matches.
Nevertheless, despite his captivating beginning, Bale has advised Bellingham that he must be open to engaging with the media to maintain their support throughout his tenure at Real Madrid – a step he acknowledges he wasn’t ready to take during his own time at the club.
Bale said: “My biggest advice: play the game at Madrid. Because if you don’t play the game and do what the media wants, speak to them – basically be a puppet – you do get a lot of stick.”
“You’ll see a lot of the Galacticos act like Galacticos, they do what the press want and they play the game of being at Real Madrid. That’s probably why it was a bit of a downfall for me.”
“I didn’t want to do it. I just wanted to play football and go home, so it probably hindered me and that made them attack me a bit more. My advice would be to play the game of being at Real Madrid off the field.”
Why did Bale make such comments?
Nonetheless, Bale didn’t achieve these feats without understanding the importance of “playing the game.” During his tenure in Madrid, he secured five Champions League titles, three La Liga championships, and even a Copa del Rey trophy.
Certainly, the notorious “Wales. Golf. Madrid” talk didn’t exactly win over the hearts of Los Blancos supporters, but it appeared that this didn’t bother the Welshman too much, as he evidently relished his eight seasons at the club.
While Bellingham is still just 20 years old, if he concludes his Real Madrid tenure with a trophy collection as impressive as Bale’s, which includes over 100 goals and more than 250 appearances for the club, it’s safe to assume he won’t be yearning for much else either.
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