GARETH: I’M AN ACHIEVER
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GARETH BALE reckons he has “over-achieved” in his career after reflecting on leaving Real Madrid with five Champions League medals.
But the Wales captain hopes there is still “one more cherry” to come this winter at the World Cup after helping Rob Page’s men qualify.
Wales’ record scorer is now preparing for his final game of the season in Rotterdam tonight.
He is a free agent after the end of his nine-year spell in Spain after an £85million move from Tottenham.
His spell in Spain ended amid criticism for seeing out the final year of his £600,000-a-week contract despite rarely playing.
But Bale, who was loaned back to Spurs the previous season, insists he fulfilled all his ambitions and more after coming through at Southampton before joining Tottenham and then Madrid.
Reflecting on his stint in Spain, the 32-year-old said: “I think it has been a massive success. I have had time to think about what I have done and especially leaving Real Madrid, we had a day or two to reflect.
“I can’t really argue with five Champions League medals. If you had offered me what I was able to do, I probably would have taken it at the start.
“There have been some high times, some low times but that is football, things like that happen. I feel like I have overachieved myself.
“I am just a little kid from Whitchurch.”
Wales will be looking to avenge a 2-1 home Nations League defeat to Holland in Cardiff last Wednesday.
Wout Weghorst scored an injury-time winner after superb play by Frenkie de Jong.
Manchester United are keen to sign Barcelona midfielder De Jong in a potential £60million deal.
Welsh boss Rob Page said: “He is a wonderful talent, let’s hope he is in the Premier League next season and the public get to watch him week in week out.”