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Real Madrid star Gareth Bale admits that winning the Champions League was his proudest moment following his world record transfer from Tottenham last summer.
The Liga giants shattered the transfer market with their £86million outlay on the Wales international, eclipsing the previous record set when signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.
As debut seasons go, few in the game will have experienced better than Bale; scoring the winning goal in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona before finding the net against fellow rivals Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final just over a month later.
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European Cup success marked an end to the club’s long-awaited ‘Decima’ title, having not won the Champions League since 2002, and Bale insists that winning that all-important tenth trophy was the reason the club brought him to the Spanish capital.
Speaking exclusively to BT Sport, Bale said: “I think the club had been chasing it for I think 12 years and it was a reason they brought me in – to try and make the team stronger to win that Champions League.”
“To do it in my first season was a dream come true. Not just for me but for everybody.”
Just like with Madrid, having tasted European success just leaves Bale craving even more.
The reigning champions will face Premier League runners-up Liverpool among others this season, and the 25-year-old says Madrid will be going out to reclaim their title – along with all trophies on offer this season.
“I think the Champions’ League is always special to any player and a club like Madrid, as I said, is known for its big European nights and winning the Champions League so I would probably say that it’s our biggest target,” continued Bale.
“We want to win every trophy as well. That’s something that we’re obviously looking forward to, that we’re excited about, and it’s what we’ll be working hard all season to try and do.”
To see the full interview with Gareth Bale watch ‘Gareth Bale: A Year in Madrid’ on BT Sport 1 at 7.30pm tonight.
