Gareth Bale "more comfortable" with Wales
Gareth Bale has admitted he feels more comfortable playing for Wales than Real Madrid.
The 30-year-old is currently away on international duty with his country and at a press conference with Wales revealed he feels more excitement when he joins up with his fellow countrymen than in the Spanish capital.
Bale has come in for criticism from the Spanish press for a perceived failure to integrate at the Santiago Bernabéu, not speaking Spanish in public and for his live of golf.
"With Wales, I'm speaking my own language and feeling more comfortable," said Bale.
"I definitely have a bit more excitement playing for Wales."
The former Tottenham Hotspur man was all set to leave Madrid in the summer with a move to the Chinese Premier League on the cards but the move fell through at the last minute. Since then Zinedine Zidane has used the Welshman as part of his first-team squad but the player's comments this week point towards a swift exit.
The forward confirmed he is back fit and ready to play, be it for Wales or Madrid when he returns to the Spanish capital.
"Some of the things I have seen, people don't understand and don't know what they're on about, so I just find it quite funny, Bale continued.
"I've tried to get back as quick as I can. If there had been a Real Madrid game this week, I would've been fit and training to play.
"Maybe to them it doesn't look great but it's just a kind of coincidence that the national team comes around this week and I've returned to full training.
"If I'm fit, no matter where I am, I'm going to try and play, whether it be for Wales or Madrid. For me it was a no-brainer: if I'm fit to play then I'll give it my all."