Cristiano Ronaldo has been one of the best players in the game of soccer since bursting onto the scene with Manchester United in 2003. Establishing himself as not only one of the premier scorers in the game but as a top all-around player as well, the 28-year-old native of Portugal continues to dominate from the forward position. Now a member of Real Madrid - a team that fell in the semifinals of last season's UEFA Champions League tournament - Ronaldo's accolades speak for themselves but playing with a club in need of improvement, the international superstar was given the opportunity to welcome in a new high-profile teammate.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez made it a priority to reel in a top-flight player heading into the 2013-2014 season and thanks to tireless effort and a substantial financial backing, Perez and club manager Carlo Ancelotti were able to bring Tottenham Spurs star Gareth Bale in before the closing of the summer transfer window. Inking the midfielder to a six-year contract worth a record $132 million, fans at the Bernabeu will now have the opportunity to see two of the best players in the world grace the pitch at the same time. Though Perez and company are clearly excited about the move, the Madrid boss hopes Bale finds a way to conquer challenges that will exist even after a victory since playing for Real Madrid is a demanding position.
"You are now in the most demanding club in the world, challenges are constant even after victory," he said recently regarding Bale's new role at Real Madrid. "But never forget the energy of this stadium will be your ally. Many great players have played here and you will be one of their heirs. Bale's determination and conviction were key to his arrival at Real. Gareth, that moment you dreamed about is now a reality."
With the Real Madrid season now underway, Gareth Bale finally had the opportunity to experience life as a member of the La Liga giants. In addition to finally suiting up and playing alongside his newest club, Bale also had the opportunity to meet the former most expensive player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo. Shaking hands prior to beginning a team training session, the 2 international superstars had chance to chat for the first time since learning they were teammates earlier this month. A current member of the Welsh national team, Bale understands how important conditioning is at Real Madrid, even bulking up in preparation for a long and competitive season.
"It's vitally important," Bale said about being in the best shape possible. "It gets me physically and mentally fit for the season. If you don't complete pre-season you're 80 per cent more likely to get injured during the season. I've found that if I get a good pre-season under my belt it kick-starts my season and I hit the ground running."
Now an official member of Real Madrid and having had the chance to unite with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale is expected to make his season debut at Villareal over the weekend.
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