THREE CHAMPIONS LEAGUES, a Spanish league, a Spanish Cup and a World Club Cup are more than vindication for Gareth Bale’s decision to join Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2013, regardless of the supposed willingness to shoo him back out the door this summer just gone.
The two sides don’t square off in the Champions League group stage until 17 October, but the Welshman with the most European titles is already looking forward to facing off against his former side this season.
Speaking to Pete Jenson in Mailsport, Bale revealed that he still converses with fellow former Spur and current Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric about the old days, and how they may have transpired differently.
“I was in a meeting when the draw was made and my phone was going off constantly and I thought, ‘Something’s happened!’” Bale said.
“I have a lot of great memories from my time there; some not so great as well but it was a big part of my journey. I love the club and still keep in touch with a lot of people there and the fans were incredible. I really enjoyed playing in those big European nights at White Hart Lane.
It was a shame we didn’t win as many trophies as I would have liked. I’ve spoken to Luka [Modric] about this. We were there or thereabouts to win the league and we kind of just dipped at the end. When you look at the team we had at the time, we feel that we should have won something.
Both men have won plenty since, of course, with Bale claiming that Modric’s move to Madrid a year prior to his own was influential in his own decision due to the pair’s near telepathic on-field understanding.
But while a fondness for Spurs remains, the 28-year-old admits that he may not be able to contain himself should he score against his former club.
“I scored against Spurs in a pre-season game a couple of years ago and I didn’t really celebrate then,” he says.
“I suppose it depends on how you feel on the day. If it’s a 91st-minute winner, can you control yourself? That’s the question.”
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