Bale: When I was young there was a conversation about me playing for England – it lasted one second. I said: ‘Stop! It’s never going to happen, I’m from Wales and
GARETH BALE did not need to surprise star-struck kids at a junior club to prove the world’s most expensive footballer was still in touch with the green, green grassroots of home.
Hours before Bale sprang his ambush on Sully Sports Under- 13s at their ground overlooking the Bristol Channel, he was a ringleader at the biggest party in Welsh football history seven miles up the road.
Of Wales’ 11 goals on the road to the Euro 2016 finals, Bale scored seven and supplied three assists. Not quiteq a one-man team, m, but the superhero’s supera cape is a perfect fit.
He also playedayed all but three minutes of the qualifying campaign as Wales ended their 58-year wait foror a place at interball’s international football’s top table.
Bale is so proud of the red jersey he woulduld not have had it any other way. And he is embarrassed the three minutess he missed was due ue to cramp.
If the FA’s s genealogy y departmentt had the i r way, England would have poached Bale as a 15-yearold , when Sven Goran Eriksson wass the Three Lions’ ons’ high priestiest disappointment. nt.
But as Realal Madrid’s £86million forwardward basked in the afterglow rglow of a memorable party, there was less chancence of Bale forsaking Walesales than Cockney rhyming ming slang recitals at an eisteddfod.
of Guests at his Saturday soiree in Madrid, watching Wales beat England at the rugby World Cup on TV, were left in little doubt about his allegiance.
Whether the ball is egg-shaped or in the back of the net, in patriot games the dragon slays Saint George every time.
“I had friends over to watch the England game, and I was very happy with the outcome. I let all my English friends know, don’t worry about that!”
Bale for England? In theory, he qualifies – but it was a total non-starter when the FA came calling.
“It was literally a one-second conversation,” said the 26-yearold, , who went to Whitchurch High School in Cardiff with Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton.
“I just said, ‘Stop – it’s never going to happen’. I’m from Wales and I love Wales. Everyone knows how much I love playing for Wales. My grandmother’s English, but I’m Welsh and that’s it. It was never an option.”
Now Bale can dream of meeting England on French turf. He may even bump into Real Madrid team- - mate Cristiano Ronaldo ldo if Wales are drawnn in the same group as Portugal.
“Maybe they will boo him and cheer me,” g grinned Bale. “Whoever we get, t, hopefully w we can test est ourselves a against them.them
“It still feelsfe like a dream that we’ve actuallyactu made it to the finals. Ever Every campaign we start off saying wew can do it, but there was a bit morem belief this time.
“A few of us have more than 50 caps, and although the expecta expectation went up and the pres pressure mounts with ev every game, we just tri tried to embrace it.
“As soon as we got th the ball rolling, the m momentum took us. We were keepingp g