Bale in the dark over Ronaldo’s future at Madrid
GARETH BALE admits he has no idea if Cristiano Ronaldo will still be a team-mate of his at Real Madrid next season.
But he is keeping his fingers crossed the Portugal superstar does end up staying with the European champions.
Not for the first time, speculation about Ronaldo’s future is one of football’s hottest topics after last month’s shock revela- tion that the 32-year-old was determined to quit Real and Spain.
That was due to the reigning Ballon d’Or and Best Fifa Men’s Player award winner feeling he was being singled out for disproportionate treatment after Spanish prosecutors accused him of evading tax of £12.8m.
Ronaldo, linked with a return to Manchester United, has remained silent on his future since then. Bale insists he has no inside knowledge as to what his team-mate, who last November signed a contract tying him to Real until 2021, will do.
Bale said: “I haven’t got a clue about what’s going to happen. You’ll have to ask him.”
But on whether Bale wants Ronaldo to remain at the Bernabeu, the former Tottenham forward was much clearer, saying: “Of course, we won titles, we did well, we don’t need to change anything.”
Bale and Ronaldo were part of the Madrid squad that won the Champions League and LaLiga titles last season, although the Wales international’s contribution was once more disrupted by injury – including an ankle problem which almost robbed him of a place in the Champions League final in his home city of Cardiff.
The 28-year-old has been plagued by fitness problems during his time in Spain but is hoping a strong pre-season will stand him in good stead for the coming campaign.
“The ankle is fine. I found it difficult to stay fit last season due to the pain. I’ve worked hard to recover and now be able to take a full part in pre-season.
“I’m going to try and have my best season and if I respect the injuries I will have a great season.”