Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo believes there has been too much pressure heaped upon his new teammate Gareth Bale due to his enormous price tag.
The Welshman arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in September for a fee of 91 million euros (77 million pounds), according to Real president Florentino Perez.u00a0And a series of niggling injuries have meant the 24-year-old hasn’t yet completed 90 minutes for his new employers.
Gareth Bale (left) talks with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. Pic/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT
However, Ronaldo, who successfully made the transition from the Premier League to La Liga when he joined Madrid from Man United in 2009, is sure Bale will come good.
“I think Gareth Bale has done well,” he told a press conference yesterday.u00a0“He had a difficult time because he didn’t do a pre-season. I understand that and if you speak with him you can see he is very excited to help the team, but it is better to leave him alone and not add pressure.
“He is a fantastic player, a fantastic boy and he always wants to learn.u00a0“People put pressure on him because of how much he cost. I leave him alone because I am sure 100 percent that he is going to do well for the club.”
Due to Bale’s lack of playing time so far, the two haven’t been able to build up any sort of partnership on the field. However, Ronaldo dismissed any suggestions that their similar style may make them incompatible in the same team.
Both Bale and Ronaldo will feature when Madrid host Juventus at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight.u00a0Victory will all but secure Real’s passage to the Last 16 as they comfortably lead Group B with six points from two games, four ahead of the Italian champions.
However, Ronaldo insisted their job is not yet done as they seek to continue the improvement they showed in beating Malaga on Saturday ahead of this weekend’s clash away to Barcelona.
Tonight’s action...
* Bayer Leverkusen vs Shakhtar Donetsk
*u00a0Manchester United vs Real Sociedad
*u00a0Real Madrid vs Juventus
*u00a0Galatasaray vs FC Copenhagen
*u00a0Anderlecht vs Paris Saint Germain
*u00a0Benfica vs Olympiakos
*u00a0CSKA Moscow vs Manchester City
*u00a0Bayern Munich vs Viktoria Pilsenu00a0
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
