Set to sign a new bumper contract, this is Gareth Bale’s first big chance to become Real Madrid’s main man.
When Real Madrid broke the world transfer record to sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur, they envisioned him becoming their main man one day.
A star in the Euros, Bale hasn’t gone into a season showing this much promise to make that proposition come true since arriving in 2013.
The Welshman returned from his extended break just as Madrid were gearing up for their first competitive game of the campaign, the European Super Cup against Sevilla, yet he wowed the fitness coaches.
They were stunned by how much he outperformed his teammates, who had been training since the start of the summer, in a series of exhausting tests.
Bale had rejoined the squad in superb shape, further evidenced at the Anoeta on Sunday with his double helping Madrid win their first match of the La Liga season comfortably.
“Gareth has already said this is an important year for him, and it is showing,” said manager Zinedine Zidane post-match, quoted by AS.
Bale was the leading light against Real Sociedad, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both missing. And that could continue for a little while too.
Ronaldo is still sidelined with a knee injury and no return date has been given for Benzema, who has been suffering from back and hip issues throughout pre-season.
An equilibrium finally seems set between Ronaldo and Bale, which is the key to more trophies and especially the priority, a league title, having only won it once in the last eight years.
The Portuguese star is slacking physically, but is still dedicated and hungry to win. He now sees Bale as someone who can help him do exactly that; not challenge his prestigious status.
It’s sensible thinking from Ronaldo, who respects and accepts that Bale has got a bigger role to play, with the 27-year-old improving massively under Zidane.
In the 12 games the Cardiff-born man has been available to the Frenchman, he has scored 12 times. He also provided winners against Rayo Vallecano and Sociedad whilst being the only member of the ‘BBC’ on the field, keeping Madrid’s titles hopes alive.
Though the real challenge will be to go a full season free of any setbacks. In 2015-16 Bale played fewer matches than in his first two campaigns in the Spanish capital.
This time round, with his increasing single-minded determination to succeed accompanied by Zidane’s willingness to rotate his team, things look brighter and Bale can be rested when needed. Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and Alvaro Morata issue plenty of opportunity to make changes.
‘La Liga de Bale’ read Spanish newspaper AS’ front-page headline on Monday. Bale stays fit, then Madrid’s initial vision can finally become a reality.
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