Gareth Bale has made a three-year-old's dreams come true after visiting the boy while he was ill in hospital over Christmas.

The Real Madrid star, who was at Cardiff University Hospital with his pregnant girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones, is currently making the most of La Liga's winter break in Wales.

The 26-year-old took time out to visit the hospital and hand out gifts to sick youngsters, including Jayden Ashford.

Gareth Bale visited Cardiff University Hospital to hand out presents to youngsters, including Jayden Ashford

The three-year-old was taken ill on Christmas Eve after visiting his aunt in Wales and was rushed into hospital by his mother Lucy Griffiths

But the shocked youngster's spirits were lifted when the Wales international arrived and his mum prasied the generosity of Bale.

She said: 'We travelled to South Wales to spend Christmas with my sister.

'In the early hours of Christmas Eve Jayden was taken ill with a breathing condition and was admitted to Cardiff University Hospital.

Bale is congratulated by Cristiano Ronaldo after he scored his fourth goal against Rayo Vallecano

The 26-year-old was in stunning form in the last La Liga outing and hopes to carry on his good form

'Whilst there they had a surprise visitor, none other than famous footballer Gareth Bale.

'He signed a photograph and posed for photos and gave my son not one but two presents out of all the gifts he brought in for the poorly children.

'He was very nice and wished my son a speedy recovery. He had done it all off his own back and was not asked or paid to do this. His generosity was such a lovely thing for the children who were unwell.'

Real have been on a winter break since December 20 but restart their campaign against Real Sociedad

Jayden made a full recovery and was able to rejoin the family for Christmas Day.

Real return to action on Wednesday when they host Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu.