Real Madrid bought me to win them La Decima – Bale

The Wales star says he had nothing to prove to the club after his world-record move and is determined to retain the Champions League


Gareth Bale feels Real Madrid were willing to spend €100 million to sign him as they believed he could help win them La Decima.

The Wales international joined from Tottenham for a world-record fee and played a pivotal role as Madrid claimed their 10th European title, in addition to the Copa del Rey.

“The club had been chasing [the Champions League] for I think 12 years and it was a reason they brought me in – to try and make the team stronger to win that Champions League, and to do it in my first season was a dream come true. Not just for me but for everybody,” he said in an interview with BT Sport.

“It was a good first season. To win the 10th Champions League for Madrid was obviously a big target for everybody at the club and for me personally to do it in my first season was a dream come true.

“Obviously the Copa del Rey is another major trophy which is always great to win.”

Bale also insisted that he had nothing to prove to the Santiago Bernabeu faithful following his drawn-out transfer saga and staggering price tag.

“For me personally, I think if I just play my football then hopefully they will be satisfied so, I didn’t feel like I had to do anything extra special to prove myself,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve done that in previous seasons at Tottenham, and hopefully last season as well.

“I think for me, I knew I was going to the biggest club in the world, and I fully believed that if I played my football then I’d contribute well enough and thankfully that happened last season.”

Not content with just one Champions League winners’ medal, Bale is determined to help his side become the first to defend their crown since the tournament was rebranded.

“I think the Champions League is always special to any player and a club like Madrid, as I said, is known for its big European nights and winning the Champions League so I would probably say that it’s our biggest target,” he added.

“We want to win every trophy as well. That’s something that we’re obviously looking forward to, that we’re excited about, and it’s what we’ll be working hard all season to try and do.”

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