Real Madrid‘s new manager Julen Lopetegui says “extraordinary” Gareth Bale is on a “beautiful path” with the club.
The Welshman’s career in Madrid has been blighted by injury and occasional dips in form, which saw him become a bit-part player last season under Zinedine Zidane.
He scored twice in the team’s 3-1 victory in last season’s Champions League final, including a sensational overhead kick, but cast doubt over his future at the club in the aftermath of that win.
However, Lopetegui’s arrival, coupled with the departure of talismanic striker Cristiano Ronaldo, has given the 29-year-old a fresh lease of life at the club.
“I’m convinced he is going to do a lot this year,” Lopetegui said.
“He is an extraordinary player and he is going to give his best. We will work around him.
“He’s happy, very happy to play for Madrid, that is certain. He is delighted to stay.
“It is a magnificent opportunity for him to show the great footballer he can be.
“I have spoken with him and with everyone. The game plan that we have and what it is giving us… we have started on a beautiful path.”
There has been talk that Bale is set to step into Ronaldo’s shoes as the club’s new star player, while the other member of Madrid’s former ‘BBC’ strike force, Karim Benzema, will also be expected to step up after a rare prolonged dip in form last season.
Lopetegui backed both to show their quality in Madrid’s famous white shirt this term.
“They have been working in an extraordinary way,” he said of the duo.
“I am delighted. They have and everyone has, with commitment and enthusiasm.
“We all have a magnificent opportunity to reinvent the team without an important player, and to reinforce the word ‘team’. We need to have it clear what we want.
“Although it has to be emphasised that we have some great individual players and with them we will try to build a great team.”
