Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 8y

Gareth Bale is 'happy' at Real Madrid and adapting to Spanish culture

Gareth Bale says he has really settled at Real Madrid and that he has no plans to leave the club in the near future.

Despite scoring 58 goals in 127 games for Madrid since his €100 million move from Tottenham Hotspur three years ago, and crucial goals in their victorious 2014 Copa del Rey and Champions League finals, Bale has had an up and down relationship with fans, pundits and even teammates at the Bernabeu.

This has led to regular speculation he could return to the Premier League, with Manchester United often talked about as a potential destination.

Speaking to the El Partido de los 12 radio show, the Wales international admitted he had found it difficult in Spain at first, but both he and his family were now happy and enjoying life in Madrid.

"I'm happy here, I'm enjoying my football, I feel like I'm learning the culture, the language, I feel more integrated in the team now," Bale said. "I'm enjoying my football and hopefully that can lead to another Champions League trophy [against Atletico Madrid on Saturday].

"I'm happy -- coming to another country is difficult, especially for the British people. I feel like it has taken time to settle in and learn the language. But my family is happy, I am happy and ultimately that is making my football better. Hopefully that can continue in the same way and win more titles in the future."

Bale, 26, says he has not yet planned out his long-term future.

"I'm not thinking about retiring yet," Bale responded, with a little laugh. "Obviously we will see what happens. The Madrid fans can be relaxed. I still have three years left here on my contract and I am enjoying my football and feeling more and more comfortable in Madrid. I am enjoying playing and I am very happy."

Despite being in Madrid for almost three years, Bale still avoids speaking in Spanish in public but he insists he is working on learning the language. 

"I have been having classes and trying to speak a lot more," he said. "Obviously it is very difficult for me but I am trying my best and I'm improving all the time."

Bale accepted that he had taken on more responsibility in the team this year, helping Madrid to push Barcelona all the way in the title race, when his fellow big name attackers Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema had been missing through injury.

"With the injuries to Cristiano and Karim, there was a lot of goals out of the team, so I tried to take a lot of responsibility and to help the team as well," he said. "I feel more comfortable in the team, more involved and that has definitely shown in my performances."

Bale's burst of form late in the season, including winning goals at Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad, came when he had more freedom to pop up in central areas and get on the end of crosses.

"I enjoy playing through the centre, with the freedom, but on the left or right as well," he said. "For me the most important thing is that if I do play on the right I have a bit of freedom to move around as well. That is how I like to play.

"I have been working on my heading ability in training, and once you score a few in the games, your confidence grows. Hopefully if the ball comes into the box I will be able to score -- head or foot it doesn't matter as long as it goes in."

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