GARETH BALE says it feels nice to be loved again after the traumatic end to his nine year stay at Real Madrid.
And the Wales superstar hopes the regular football he is now getting with Los Angeles FC will put him in great shape to face England at the World Cup.
The 33-year-old has jetted back from the States to be part of the final Dragons get together before they head to Qatar in November.
While he is yet to play a full 90 minutes for the MLS high-fliers, he is enjoying his football again.
That means a lot after he started just 18 games in total during his final three years at the Bernabeu.
Asked if it was good to be loved again, former Tottenham man Bale said: “Definitely. It feels nice, the fans have been really supportive over there, they’ve been really patient as well which is good.
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“I’m enjoying playing there, the atmosphere is incredible, they’re all supporting the team.
“I can’t ask for any more than that. They’ve made me feel at home straight away. The family are now settled in which is a big part.”
While Bale has been used carefully by his new club, he believes he is coming to the boil nicely ready for the World Cup.
The Dragons are in a group with Iran and USA as well as England and many believe they have a chance of going through if their big players such as Bale perform.
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He said: “It’s good vibes from the MLS and hopefully that gives me more confidence going into Wales as well. I’m getting stronger and fitter.
“Now we have an important stretch of games in the MLS, but after that I can turn my attention to the World Cup and hopefully be in the best shape as I possibly can.
“Any player will tell you that you can be as fit as you want training and doing the running but playing games makes you feel sharper and better on the pitch.
“For me personally, playing games is good for me and where I need to be.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
