Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has said more British players should pluck up the courage to test themselves in a new league abroad.
While the debate in England for years has been how foreign players have impacted on the national side and slowed the progress of UK-born players, bale is just one of a handful of Brits plying their trade abroad.
The 25-year-old joined Los Blancos last season in a 91-million-move from Tottenham Hotspur and says the switch has made him a better person.
Bale, who scored in both the Copa del Rey and Champions League finals, told the Independent newspaper: “I think the most important thing is you feel it’s the right move.
“If you feel you’re going to play then I would encourage a British player to go abroad. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it – the new culture, the new life. I felt like I wanted to challenge myself. It’s down to the player himself whether he can kick on.”
Although he didn’t speak Spanish when he joined, Bale said it didn’t take too long to adapt because of the support offered by familiar faces such as Xabi Alonso, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, who had all played in the Premier League and made the switch to the Spanish capital themselves.
“For me, it was quite easy,” Bale stated. “I went in the first day and the ones I knew – like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka, Xabi Alonso – all gave me advice. The team’s very good like that. We all respect each other as players and as people, so whoever comes in will be made to feel very welcome.”
