Odriozola: “Bale Knows Spanish Perfectly”

Álvaro Odriozola did an extended interview with the Spanish Real Madrid website La Galerna, where he talked about Gareth Bale — among other things — noting the Welshman’s commitment to the club and the fact that he does indeed know Spanish:

(NOTE: The following has been translated from Spanish to English)

Interviewers: “Due to the difficult relationship between the two at the end of last season, it has been said that Bale may be one of the big losers with the arrival of Zidane. How do you see it?”

Odriozola: “Well, he looks good to me (referring to Bale’s situation in the team). He played a great game against Celta. He worked a lot. He is very motivated. He knows Castilian perfectly; what happens is that he is ashamed to use it, which seems normal to me.”

Interviewers: “Does he speak Spanish then, contrary to what is said?”

Odriozola: “Absolutely. I speak with him in Spanish and English and I see that his commitment to the club is total. He is a Madridista and has given a lot for the club. As a fan of Madrid, I have also always valued him enormously — he has given us many things. He’s a great player, I do not need to say it. That speed...that power...and that success facing goal. I like him very much.”

Interviewers: “His injuries are criticized — sometimes as if they were his fault...”

Odriozola: “It is true. One does not choose his injuries. There are players who are more injury-prone, others less, but he works a lot in the gym — he takes great care of himself.”

To read the rest of the interview click here.