Real Madrid The Welshman spoke exclusively to MARCA

With the sweat still dripping off his forehead, Gareth Bale sat down to talk with MARCA. It is time to clarify several topics after a long season where he struggled with injuries, but you shouldn't jump to conclusions. The Welshman has been working hard and he is not looking elsewhere, neither to England or anywhere else. His place is in Madrid and he assured this newspaper that he would return stronger and that he has not said his last word with the Real Madrid shirt. He looks back over a tough season, but also one that finished well with trophies, and now he is looking forward to the new campaign. It is the way he is, he never gives up and no one will stop the Welsh Express.

Let's start with your feelings in this pre-season after the physical problems of last year ...

"It is clear that the pre-season is going to be hard, we are working hard to get in shape. To be prepared as soon as possible for the season."

How is your ankle?

"Well, logically on this trip I have not put much intensity into the area, so as to recover well. Last year with the pain I found it difficult to get in shape. I worked hard to recover and now I can do the pre-season fully. Last year it bothered me, because you always try to come back to help the team, and give the best of yourself. Maybe I should have been recovering longer and not forcing, but now there is no pain. I have strength in my ankle and I am ready."

Looking back has it been the most complicated year of your career, or at least in Real Madrid?

"Well, until January everything went very well for me. It was bad luck, you cannot avoid these injuries in football, when you knock your ankle. Logically it was very hard, but the most important thing is that we won titles and very important ones."

Have you looked back over what happened in Cardiff? The bench, your entrance onto the pitch, the cup ... It can't have been easy.

"To be honest, six weeks before the final I worked hard to get in shape, and being on the bench was the most rewarding thing, because if I did not do that job I would not have been there. I worked hard, 12 hours a day, to be available in the final, to make the ankle right, and being able to enjoy those minutes was the most rewarding. Raising the cup in front of my family and friends was amazing."

What do you expect for this new season?

"To make a good pre-season and start 100 percent with the team. When I came back last year from the injury I was about 50 percent, I tried to improve, but my ankle would not let me. My goal now is to get in shape and continue playing with Madrid."

Will we see then the best Bale this season or the most regular?

"I will try to have my best season, of course, as always, if I respect the injuries I will have a great season. Now you have to get strong to try to avoid these injuries."

There were rumours about your future, have you thought about leaving Real Madrid?

"No, everything has been complicated due to my injury, but for nothing else. I can still play football very well, when I am at the maximum I will give the best again, I signed a long contract in Madrid and I am happy in this club. I am sure this is going to be a great season. My plan is to score goals here."

But is it true that United wanted you?

"The truth is that I do not read any of that. Logically I am a British player and I am always linked with a return home. It happened with Beckham, with other Englishmen who came to Spain. Nothing new. I am happy playing in Madrid, logically interest is interest, but if there has been nothing concrete, no offer, there is nothing to discuss."

Do you feel Zidane's support? Have you talked to him?

"We have been here only a few days, we have a lot of time over the preseason, to prepare well and see what will happen."

Did you expect Zidane to triumph so quickly?

"Maybe there were people who did not think so, but he had the support of the team, we worked hard, all working for the team and talented people, so we won many titles. We will follow logically along the same path and see if we win more titles."

Do you think you can manage all six?

"It is clear that it is very difficult. It's hard to win one, imagine six, but that's the reason we're here. We'll go out to win everything, that's the plan, and we think we can do it. Obviously we will also need luck."

Who is Bale's worst opponent this season on his way to success?

"I have confidence and it is important to have a good pre-season to be fit and strong. As I said the most important thing is to avoid serious injuries. There are always little setbacks in preseason. The most important thing is to concentrate on the game and do the best you can."

Are you conscious that it is becoming more difficult to find a place in the Madrid side?

"Possibly, but for that I am here, and that is why I play for the best team in the world, to win the maximum number of trophies. We all want to play and we all work hard to win our places, but this is not 11 players. Zidane wants to keep rotating and will give options for everyone. I think the most important thing is to think that we all will win. I think in previous seasons we did well in LaLiga or in the Champions League, but in the last campaign we won both thanks to the rotations, it gave us a lot of freshness, it's a great method of working because the players have time to recover. It's good, in football now everyone has to contribute."

Do you really believe that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave?

"I have not read anything, I have no clue as to what is going to happen. Look, I found out yesterday that Lukaku had signed for Manchester ... I really do not know."

But you expect to continue playing with him at Real Madrid, right?

"Sure, we won titles, we did well, we do not need to change anything."

And you think he will stay with you?

"You will have to ask him."

Do you think this is the strongest group you've played with?

"We have a big group, if one player cannot play, another one comes in and he does the same. Very strong players coming on from the bench. Yes, that's important for the whole season."

Have you also been surprised by Asensio?

"No, he is doing very well, in games and in training, he has had very bright moments last season and is a very good player. I hope this year will continue along the same path. It is normal to have good players in Madrid."

What do you think of Kylian Mbappe?

"I have not seen much, really. I do not see much football, but I know he is a good player and if he comes it is because he has had a great last season and I hope he helps the team if he comes."

Do you still believe in reaching the World Cup with Wales?

"Sure, we have four games left and we are four points from the top, we are still there, and while there are options we will fight to the end, but it will not be easy. We measure ourselves with the ones above and we will also need luck."

Who will be the rivals for Real Madrid on their way to success?

"The usual ones. Several English teams, Bayern, Barcelona, Juventus, PSG ... Always similar, but to get to the end you have to win against whoever."

Do you consider the criticism of the BBC fair? What do you say to those who think the team plays better without the BBC?

"They are opinions and they are in their right to say that."

Real Madrid also won titles with the BBC ...

"The facts speak for themselves. People can talk, but in the end the coach makes decisions."

Are you comfortable with Benzema and Ronaldo?

"Yes, we spend time together, we feel very comfortable and we have won many things together. It is the coach's decision how the team has to play and we will do our best."