Yeah, so sitting here mourning isn’t going to do any good. What’s done is done. Time to move forward. That said, I’m a bit not in the mood for posting, so I’m just gonna report the basics.
Gareth started his day having a medical with Dr. Carlos Diez who fangirled all over him.
“As always, we follow a protocol and we have done all the investigations and all the cardiorespiratory and biomechanical studies and the truth is that he is in excellent physical condition and available for the coaching staff when they see fit. I highlight the physical condition he is in. He arrives at the club a physical marvel and we think he will serve the club well”.
After that it was time to sign his contract with FloPeezy…
Then the presentation…
FROM REALMADRID.COM
Bale was presented in the Santiago Bernabéu’s Directors’ Box
“Your determination and conviction have been essential to make your joining Real Madrid today a reality. The moment you dreamt of as a child starts now”, said Florentino Pérez during the event
Gareth Bale was presented as a new Real Madrid player in the Santiago Bernabéu’s Directors’ Box. The British player talked about his excitement at playing for Madrid: “It is totally amazing to be here. It is a dream-come-true. I want to help the team be successful and to win Number Ten”. And he said his first words in Spanish: “It is a dream for me to play for Real Madrid. Thanks for this great reception. ¡Hala Madrid!” The president Florentino Pérez was alongside him and welcomed him: “The moment you dreamt of as a child starts now. You have come to the most demanding club in the world, but you will always have us at your side. We have dozens and dozens of challenges to face and you will help us in this determination to be ever better, so that the legend of this club keeps on growing and becomes even greater.”
In an atmosphere of great excitement, the Directors’ Box in Madrid’s stadium was the scene of the presentation of Bale as a Real Madrid player. Before the ceremony began, the president Florentino Pérez said a few words in memory of Isidro: “I would like to take this moment to pay a heartfelt homage to one of the players who gave his talent and effort to this team. A man who wore this shirt for several years and who has left us forever. I would like to remember Isidro Sánchez, who played for this club in the 1960s. Isidro Sánchez was also the father of another Real Madrid player, Quique Sánchez Flores. I would like to send my love and affection for him and for his whole family”.
Florentino Pérez then welcomed Bale: “We are here in this temple of madridismo to welcome a man who knows that Real Madrid is dedication, sacrifice, talent and, above all, passion for football. We have before us an exceptional footballer. He was again picked as best player on the Premier League last season. From today onwards, just as you dreamt of as a child, this is your stadium, this is your shirt, this is your shield and these are your fans. This is your home and also your family’s. New footballing experiences start here for everyone. Thank you, Gareth Bale. Welcome to your team. Welcome to Real Madrid”.
The world’s media did not want to miss the presentation of one of the best footballers at present. The Madrid president said: “I want to make it very clear that Bale’s determination and conviction have been essential in making him joining Real Madrid today a reality. An immensely solid determination and strength because both are rooted in the desire a Welsh child had years ago to wear the Real Madrid shirt”. And on the subject of the signing he said: “There is no doubt that these have been intense and complicated negotiations. There is no doubt that they have been prolonged negotiations but with Tottenham, a club I would like to thank for the chance they gave us of contacting this magnificent player”.
Real Madrid always looks to win all the titles it can and has the best players in the world. An exciting challenge is opening up for the Welshman and Florentino Pérez wished him all the best at the club. “Our fans want the best from you and from your team-mates but they will also give you their best with their spirit and their passion, because our followers and fans are our strength and our main driving force. They expect your best football and I know perfectly well that you want to show them what this badge and this shirt mean to you. We will carry on with the model which we learnt from Santiago Bernabéu; we always want to add the best players in the world to our squad because that is one of the strategic signs of identity that, according to FIFA, made Madrid the Club of the 20th Century”.
The event finished with Bale posing alongside Florentino Pérez with a number-eleven shirt with the date of the presentation and then there was a large group photo, firstly with the members of the Board of Directors and then the Welshman was photographed with his family.
One of the highlights was pictures of bebe Gareth (and his ears) wearing a RM shirt.
Then of course, a presser…
FROM REALMADRID.COM
Bale: “Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world and is a very big part of why I wanted to come here”
by Edu Bueno
“My heart is with this club; I want to win Number Ten and every trophy I can”, the Wales player said in the Santiago Bernabéu press room
Gareth Bale gave his first press conference as a Madrid player in the Santiago Bernabéu press room in front of over a hundred media organizations from all around the world. The Welshman, accompanied by Emilio Butragueño, explained that this is a dream-come-true for him and that he has joined the Whites to help win trophies: “I would like to make history. My heart is with this club. I have come to help the team win every available trophy, including Number Ten”. He also praised Cristiano Ronaldo, saying: “He is the best in the world and a very important part of why I wanted to come here”.
The best player in the Premier League was extremely happy to sign for Real Madrid: “This is a dream for me. Like the president said, they have made a big effort for me to come here and it has been my dream from the beginning and I would like to thank him for it. I am delighted that my future is starting here. I have always followed Spanish football and it is an incredible league. I have always liked Real Madrid. I have followed them my whole life”.
Bale is fulfilling a dream he had as a child, when he was photographed in a Madrid shirt: “That is from when I was 9 or 10 and this is an amazing dream. I am looking forward to wearing it now”. He explained that his first memory of Madrid was “the goal in the final when I was 8 or 9. [Mijatovic’s goal in Number Seven.] Real Madrid has always been the best club. Seeing the team play has been incredible and now I am going to be part of it. My heart is with Real Madrid and it is the only team I have listened to”.
Bale was impressed by the reception from the fans on his first day as a Madrid player: “This is incredible. I was very nervous and it is an unforgettable experience. I had already seen players at presentations like this and this is a dream come true. They have made me feel very welcome and I am looking forward to starting”. He also thanked Tottenham: “It has been difficult and how I am delighted to be here. Leaving wasn’t easy but when a club like Real Madrid comes it is hard to turn them down. I would like to thank Tottenham for their support. But now this is my future”.
On the subject of whether he has spoken to Carlo Ancelotti yet, Bale said: “Briefly. Not in depth, but I’m looking forward to doing it. It’s marvellous being here to help the team. I’m going to give 100 per cent, win titles and do as well as I can”. The person he has spoken to the most is Luka Modric, with whom he has a good relationship from his time at Spurs: “I have been in touch with him, we are great friends and he said I should come. Everyone knows that this is a great club”.
As for the pressure of being one of the most expensive signings in the history of football, the Welshman said: “I feel pressure from what I want to feel pressure from. I want to play here and help the team. There is no pressure. I want to give everything and contribute to the team winning. The price is nothing to do with me. I wanted to come here, even if it was just for one penny. I want to win trophies, the Champions League, become the best player… The price has nothing to do with that”.
He also showed his winning character and competitive spirit, saying: “I would like to make history with Real Madrid. The club is well known for wanting to win everything. One very important reason for coming is seeing the great legends who have played here. It is the biggest club in the world and we want to win every title, the Champions League and the others”.
Bale talked about his physical form: “I have been training and I am eager to do it and play here now. I am in good shape. I have worked hard on my own. I hope that if I am picked by Wales I can help my country and then bit by bit. I will come back in better physical shape and I hope I can make my debut in Villarreal, and really want to”.
Bale also revealed that he is very excited about being in the same team as Cristiano Ronaldo: “He is the best player in the world. He is a very important factor in why I wanted to come here. The team is full of players who are best in the world in their positions. There is nobody better than Cristiano Ronaldo; I am looking forward to playing with him and with the others. I think we will win a lot of trophies together”.
And he explained that he still has a lot to learn in his new club and that he cannot be compared to the Portuguese forward: “Ronaldo is the best player in the world and I want to learn from him He’s the boss. I want to try to help the team. I don’t think I need to help him. He has already shown that he is the best in the world. It is amazing being here and I want to start this challenge and with luck dominate the Liga”.
The Welshman also discussed how his signing had come about and what it was like for him: “They started to talk to the club and everything went normally. I spoke with Florentino Pérez and he made me feel comfortable. He made me feel very welcome and I am grateful for that. It has been a relief and exciting. Last night, at last, I discovered it had been decided and I am delighted to be here. I can’t describe it”.
He will wear the legendary number-11 shirt; the one Paco Gento won six European Cups in: “He is a legend at the club. There is a lot of pressure playing with that number. I want to play in the Champions League and we want to win Number Ten. I hope I can help to do it for the fans and for the whole club”. Bale is aware of the competition and how difficult playing will be: “All the players who are here are the best in the world. I know I have to earn my starting place. I am here with the best players, the best coaches and I have the chance to be the best. I want to win lots of matches”. On the subject of his position on the pitch, he said: “I like playing in all positions. I don’t have a preference. Last season I played on the right and left wings, but I will play wherever the manager says”.
The Madrid player was accompanied by Emilio Butragueño. The director of Institutional Relations wished him luck in his new era with the club: “On behalf of everyone who works at Real Madrid, it is a pleasure to welcome you to your new home. We are very excited that you are now here today as a Real Madrid player. It is very demanding at this club but we are sure that you will be fundamental for the team and you will help us to win trophies. We wish you all the best and a long future”.
He then went onto the pitch to demonstrate his skills and greet the fans.
While he was on the pitch, fans chanted that Ozil was not for sale and FloPeezy shushed them. While I’m pissed about Mesut leaving, it’s not Bale’s fault and I’m not down with pointing a finger at someone who doesn’t even play the same position. Kinda shitty to ruin his day.
Then some more official posing in his new uniform…
After that, there was a luncheon for Gareth and his family. The Peez gave baby Alba a shirt that said “Daddy” on it.
Here’s video of the whole shindig.
And that’s pretty much that. I wish Gareth the best of luck with the team. Once I get over wanting to cliff myself, I’ll probably be in a much better position to report on his first few days. But for now, I really need to get some rest. This has been a very tough day emotionally.
G’night watishista/os.
– Lozil
Of Headbands and Heartbreak
watishistacorrespondents
Of Headbands and Heartbreak... 
Peezy shushing the crowd and another Alba to look out for makes my day.
As I so nervously said to Zidane this summer… I look forward to the season.
did you nervously throw up before/after speaking to zizou? i pretty much had a panic meltdown of joy and shock after xabi waved at me.
you spoke to Zidane!? life envy!
I didn’t have my phone or anything on me! I just kind of walked away after talking to him. And my FB status hasn’t changed since then, I don’t think. All it says is: “Zinedine Zidane! Holy shit balls!! That is all”
It’s difficult to act nonchalant when you really want to jump into his arms and beg him, “Take me, take me!”
Knowing MGS, she’d be discussing tactics and formations with him, getting opinions on coaching qualifications and THEN saying “Take me! Take me!” The girl is serious about her football. 🙂
The night before, my friend and I had been discussing what I should say if I met Zidane. Because I know exactly what to say to Mourinho if I ever meet him but I don’t think I’d get the same reaction from Zidane. He told me to walk up to Zidane and headbutt him, then say “No no, it’s cool! I was a marine! This is how we greet each other.” And THEN ask him “Your room or mine?”
I’m so short that if I tried to headbutt Zidane, he would double over and see stars — and we’re not talking Elizabeth Taylor.
Yeah… I’m pretty short. Just ask Mandi and Lozil…
Sweet babies make everything better… So let’s focus on the positive. Imagine the fear of the opponent when he sees Cristiano and Gareth bearing down on him… or speeding down both flanks at full steam. I love it. Oh hey, and he’s wearing my number, the one I wear for both football and rugby (that was a while ago, though).
Sorry I haven’t said it until now, but welcome to Madrid, Gareth!
I agree with you, it’s not Bale’s fault if RM sold Özil and all these people blaming are just annoying…
Anyway, welcome Gareth!
PS: his daughter Alba is super-cute! ;-D
oh my, the Daddy shirt for baby Alba is too cute!!! Welcome to Madrid Gareth!
I should support him. He is in our team right now. But, I still can’t bring myself to do so. Sorry.
Little AVB is adorable.
I can’t wait to see Ronaldo and Bale interact on/off the field. I wish there wasn’t an international break so I could see some club games and move from this whole transfer window.
Me too. It is going to be interesting. Have read many an article by pundits who are just as interested and had many cool opinions/thoughts. The best was: if they get along, they could be a deadly combo on the pitch.
I think they’ll get along because Bale is willing to make it work. just going to be funny cause if Bale’s twitter is anything to go by, Bale’s quite the Ronaldo fan.
He might actually be Cris’ biggest fanboy
that cute lil baby girl made me temporarily forget my depression..i feel you on the cliffing part.. stay strong everyone..
I wish him all the best and hope for his sake it’s going to work out with the team. The expectations and pressure must be sky high, hope he handles it well. Cute family too.
Good luck, Gareth!
Another footballer having a gorgeous babygirl called ‘Alba’ with his high school sweetheart, sounds familiar, hm?
You think he had his ears pinned back?
I am 100% sure he did and there is zero shame in that.
Esp. cuz it was pretty necessary in his case.
To make him more aerodynamic?
probably knocked time off his sprints. teehee.
And then again, Dumbo’s flappy ears were the secret to his power of flight…
Well, I’ve put off commenting on him long enough. I … like him. True, true, I don’t know diddly squat about him, but anyone who succeeds in a lifelong dream earns a gold star in my book. Because let’s be honest and fair here: as much as people WANT to blame him for Mesut’s departure, it was not of his own doing. (Same argument against those hating on Diego for Iker’s current situation: Diego doesn’t call the shots. He just plays as he’s told to do.) So let’s not mix things up here. Send your hate mail to Real Madrid’s board of directors or Perez’s mailbox or whatever, but unless secret documents are leaked in which Bale’s main stipulation for transferring to Real was the expulsion of Mesut, it’s pretty petty to use him as a scapegoat. Did he TRANSFER have something to do with Mesut leaving? Possibly. But Bale himself did not. He just has the misfortunes of arriving with a ludicrous price tag to the departure of a Bernabeu beloved. I had hoped to see both him and Mesut together on the team, as they have similar personalities, but what’s done is done.
I hope the team does well, despite all the changes. I hope Bale integrates well and proves himself worth it all. I always thought that Mesut leaving with mean an end to my Real watching days, but I am still keen to follow their progress. Isco IS a gem, and if Bale can repeat his highly acclaimed last season with the Spurs at Real then from a technical standpoint Real looks solid enough. I worry a bit about Cris not having his little Avatar-eyed assisting machine anymore, but the next person I hear who says they hope he shuns/doesn’t get along with Bale (out of loyalty to Mesut) will find their right eye Mourinho’d by my thumb. Seriously, people!
All in all, good luck, Gareth!
I think I love you
And love makes the world go round! Spread love, not hate! (^3^)