Bale says he gets more enjoyment from Wales than Real Madrid

Gareth Bale has risked fuelling criticism of his commitment to Real Madrid by admitting he is more excited playing for Wales than for Spanish giants. Bale has t featured for Real since scoring in his country's 1-1 draw against Croatia on October 13 and a calf injury has prevented him from even training with his club's first-team squad. So his decision to join up with Wales for ir final Euro 2020 qualifiers against Azerbaijan in Baku on Saturday and Hungary on Tuesday has drawn negative comments in Spanish press.

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"I definitely have more excitement playing for Wales," Bale said at a press conference in Baku on Friday.

"I've been with most of older players since we were in Under-17s. It's like playing with your mates down park on a Sunday. It's rmal.

"With Wales, I'm speaking my own langu and feel more comfortable. But it doesn't change what I do on pitch. I always give 100 percent on pitch wherever I am, that's what I always strive to do." 

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Former Real players and media regularly accuse Bale of putting his love of golf before club. "I find it hilarious to be honest, especially some of pictures and stuff my friends send me," Bale said. "On one it said triple bogey - and I've never had a triple bogey! At least give me an albatross! It's funny. "Some of things I have seen, people don't understand and don't kw what y're on about. So I just find it quite funny." 

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To have a chance of qualifying for ir second successive European Championship, Wales probably need to win both games. Bale said he wasn't sure he would play whole of both matches but defended his return to action in time for Wales matches. "I've done as much as I can in terms of trying to get back as quick as I can. "If re had been a Real Madrid game this week, I would've been fit and training to play. Maybe to m it doesn't look great, but it's just a kind of coincidence that national team comes around this week." 

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