From getting into trouble with neighbours to hometown hero
GARETH BALE will be hoping to make his own slice of Champions League history when his team takes to the pitch tonight – just three miles from the streets where he grew up.
But as his Real Madrid side prepares to take on Italian giants Juventus in the city centre, he has revealed how one particular Cardiffian was never a Bale fan – his schoolmate’s old neighbour.
“I always got in trouble over at my friend’s house [playing football],” he said, recalling the street football games – and the odd telling off – of his childhood in Whitchurch.
“The old woman used to come out and call the police on us, if we were making too much noise so, yes, there were one or two times..!”
Fast forward to 2017 and the 27-year-old former Whitchurch High School pupil has gone from scourge of that unknown old woman to hometown hero, with a 200ft poster of the Wales star having been proudly unfurled down the side of one of the city’s tallest buildings for this weekend’s occasion.
A humble Bale – clearly excited about the benefits tonight’s match at the temporarily renamed National Stadium of Wales could bring to his home city – said: “It’s a bit strange obviously, growing up in Cardiff and just being a normal Cardiff boy, then seeing massive drawings on walls in the street of you.
“To host the Uefa Champions League final will obviously boost the economy and everything else around Cardiff as well.
“The Uefa Champions League trophy is obviously the number one trophy to lift and to have all my friends and family in my home city, it really would be a dream come true.”
As he aims for his third Champions League success, having already cemented his place as one of Wales’ all-time greats he has faced a race against time to return from injury for today’s game.
He has already tasted glory in the 2014 and 2016 finals with Los Galacticos – but to do so in the Welsh capital would be all the sweeter for one of the world’s most expensive players.
“I know where I’d want to celebrate,” he said, laughing as he went on to namecheck his new city venture with Brains. “I’d take the team back to the Elevens Bar and Grill, have a few beers. But, yeah, probably there in Cardiff would be good.”
It’s one of his many favourite haunts around the city.
“Cardiff Castle in the middle of the city is an amazing thing,” he added. “Then I think maybe just down in Cardiff Bay, there is a nice Nando’s down there... so all good!”
When asked about family time, he told Champions League sponsor Nissan: “Normally, I just go home. Obviously it’s nice to spend time at my house, I don’t get to spend much time [there]. Normally, we go to Celtic Manor, play some golf. There’s lots of things to do for my family there as well. So, yes, we spend a lot of time there.”
He may only have ended up three miles from the streets of his childhood this evening, but in so many ways he’s certainly come a long way since those kickabouts on the streets of Cardiff.
Yet Bale still has vivid memories of his own nights watching the European cup stars of yesteryear.
“I just remember watching football at my parents’ house – Champions League games,” he recalled fondly.
Tonight the eyes of the world will be watching this particular Champions League game.
And the hope will be that for a generation of Cardiff youngsters, today’s match – and the four-day festival of football the city has so long prepared for – might just be the start of their very own Champions League adventure.
THE momentous day when Wales hosts one of the biggest sporting events in the world is finally here.
Juventus will take on Real Madrid at the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff tonight in the Champions League final, both vying to take home the famous trophy after the showpiece event.
The stage is finally set at the Welsh capital’s iconic stadium for the two huge visiting European clubs.
The footballing superstars of both Real Madrid and Juventus arrived on Welsh soil yesterday.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and, of course, Cardiff’s Gareth Bale landed at Cardiff Airport before making their way to the heart of the capital, where Real Madrid are staying at the Mercure Holland House Hotel on Newport Road. They were welcomed there by excited fans and journalists ready to see them arrive.
Meanwhile, Juventus’ team coach pulled into the Vale Resort in the Vale of Glamorgan, with fans on hand to try to get a quick picture.
Famous stars spotted across the city already include former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard and will.i.am – whose is performing with the Black Eyed Peas at the final tonight.
Cardiff itself has been transformed ahead of the mammoth event, which will see the eyes of the world on Wales as tens of thousands of football fans descend on the city.
Security barriers have been erected across Cardiff, road closures are in place, a floating football pitch can be found in Cardiff Bay, the Principality Stadium has had a name change and, of course, a giant blue dragon has been erected at Cardiff Castle.
Cardiff Bay has been turned into a football fan’s dream after the Champions Festival was opened on Thursday.
While there are stands from sponsors, a stage and food outlets, the festival is open until 5pm today and tomorrow, where bags are being checked by security on the way in.
Fans were treated to an Ultimate Champions Match in Cardiff Bay yesterday, where the likes of 2006 World Cup winner Marco Materazzi, former Wales and Liverpool ace Ian Rush, Manchester United icon Ryan Giggs and Brazil legend Cafu, as well as Real Madrid legends Roberto Carlos and Luis Figo, played on the floating pitch.
And as the day of the big event has finally arrived, Spanish and Italian football supporters will be out in force today, hoping to see their team crowned champions.
In the official programme for today’s match, Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin said it was his pleasure to welcome fans to the 2016/17 Champions League final in Cardiff.
He said: “The moment is finally here, and after so much anticipation, we now look forward to an exciting conclusion to another memorable campaign. There is no bigger game in club football.
“This is where history is made, and I wish both Juventus and Real Madrid CF the very best of luck in their bid to lift this most coveted of trophies.”
He also thanked the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and its president, David Griffiths, for hosting the final.
Mr Ceferin added: “Europe took the Welsh national team to its heart during their incredible run to the Uefa Euro 2016 semi-finals last summer, so it is a privilege to be here to experience the fervour and passion of Welsh football fans once again.
“With the eyes of the football world focusing on Cardiff for tonight’s showpiece event, I would like to take the opportunity to reiterate Uefa’s core values of respect and fair play.
“I look forward to watching a final played in that spirit.”