RETIRING IN SUMMER WAS NEVER IN MY MIND, SAYS BALE
GARETH Bale says there was never any chance of him hanging up his boots this summer. Bale’s long-term future has been the subject of intense speculation, particularly in the run-up to Euro 2020, with some even going so far as to suggest the Welsh superstar might even be considering a shock retirement following a mixed loan return to Tottenham.
However, the winger, who appears to be enjoying a new lease of life back at Real Madrid, says his intention was always to see out the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu.
Speaking ahead of Wales’ crucial World Cup qualifier with Belarus later today, Bale said: “Everyone just seems to make up stories when they want.
“I don’t know. They just make up some wild things. I never planned to finish.
“Like I said before, I just wanted to concentrate on the Euros and didn’t want to have to explain myself. I didn’t feel like I needed to.
“I still don’t feel like I need to, and I think no matter what I said I was going to do, whether it was to stay, leave, retire, whatever, it would have caused a big story. An annoying story, and a distracting story.
“So I think for me it was better not to say anything and just try to concentrate on the job in hand.”
With speculation raging, Bale perhaps inadvertently added fuel to the fire towards the end of last season, admitting in a post-match interview that he already knew his next move and that it would “cause chaos”.
However, Bale has now clarified those remarks, stating that he didn’t want his own club future to overshadow his team’s Euro 2020 campaign.
He added: “It probably would have caused chaos if I’d said I was going to stay at Real Madrid, so it was better I didn’t [say anything].”
Bale’s decision to stay in the Spanish capital has seen him link up with Carlo Ancelotti, who has brought the 32-year-old in from the cold after a strained relationship with predecessor Zinedine Zidane.
The forward admits he’s already reaping the benefits, having started all of Real’s opening three league games, netting a goal in the process.
Wales boss Rob Page has clearly taken note, saying recently that Bale appears to have got the “bug back” for football, a development which he believes will help take the skipper’s already monumental efforts for his country even further.
“I’ve always had a great relationship with Carlo,” Bale added when asked about his start to the season.
“But it’s still the same in that you have to perform to get in the team and I had a good pre-season, and a good start to the season.”
The Wales star also admits the Italian’s arrival has also coincided with a “better environment” in the Spanish capital.
Some may interpret those comments as a subtle dig at his former boss, but Bale himself is clearly benefitting from the upturn in game time.
“I think it’s always good to be in a good environment. That’s the biggest reason I went to Tottenham as I knew it would be a good environment for me. It was a break that maybe I need
ed at the time, and I had a great time at Tottenham.
“It definitely helped me mentally be back in a happier place, and I think that showed again coming back with Wales in the Euros, and then I’ve brought that into Real Madrid this season, where there’s obviously a better environment for myself anyway.”
Bale’s contract at Real is set to expire at the end of the season, and there is likely to be renewed speculation around what will come next, but the man himself is clearly keen to focus on what’s in front of him for now.
Securing a first World Cup berth for Wales since 1958 seems top of the list, as too does the prospect of receiving the honour of a 100th cap.
“I’ve only just started this year and you’re already asking questions! I haven’t thought about anything beyond this game to be honest.
“I’m just thinking about each and every game as it comes. Just trying to enjoy it.
“I want to play in a World Cup for Wales, not just for myself, but for the country as a whole. I think it would be an incredible experience for the nation.
“We’re fully focused now on trying to do that with another crucial game [on Sunday].
“In terms of the caps, I think every player would love to get to 100 caps. I’m very close, and it would be nice if I can get it done.”