Bale: “I feel loved at Tottenham”

Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale, currently playing for Tottenham on a year-long loan deal, talked to Welsh newspaper Wales Online and discussed his feelings at the London-based club after spending the last seven years with Real Madrid.

“It’s nice to be back playing, nice to be at a place where I’m wanted, I feel loved. I’m just getting my fitness back and being back playing is what makes every footballer happy. I feel like I’m in a good place at the moment, there’s still more to come, more to improve, and I’m looking forward to it,” said Bale.

It’s clear that the attacker wasn’t a relevant player for coach Zinedine Zidane, and that’s been a difference so far with Tottenham, where he appears to be happy and willing to make the difference for Jose Mourinho.

Bale admitted that he’s now enjoying football, something that probably didn’t happen during his last few seasons in the Spanish capital.

“It does take a bit of getting used to, the body getting back into rhythm of playing every few days, you get a little bit more stiff than usual, but the more games I’m playing, the better the body is adapting. It’s going to take a little bit of time still but I’m on right path and I’m enjoying playing again,” he added.

Bale’s loan deal with Tottenham expires next summer and he will have another year left on his contract. Still, Tottenham could always ask Real Madrid to extend that loan deal if Bale performs at a high level consistently.