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Featured Image Credit: Alamy & Instagram/LAFC
Topics: Gareth Bale, Football, La Liga, Real Madrid, MLS
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Gareth Bale, Football, La Liga, Real Madrid, MLS
Gareth Bale goes out of his way to speak Spanish at his new club LAFC, according to his teammate Ilie Sanchez.
Bale joined the MLS side on a free transfer last month after his previous contract at Real Madrid expired at the end of last season.
The Wales international faced scrutiny throughout his time in Spain over a perceived lack of commitment to Madrid, with his critics accusing him of failing to learn the local language during his nine-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Bale recently showed his aptitude for foreign languages by delivering a message to LAFC fans in Spanish after his move to the club was confirmed.
Sanchez has now revealed that Bale is more than happy to speak Spanish to his new teammates and sometimes prefers to use it over English.
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"Gareth speaks to me in Spanish," Sanchez told AS.
"I am the only Spaniard, but there is a lot of South American and Central American in the squad. And he just wants to speak Spanish with us.
"In fact, sometimes we speak to him in English and he answers us in Spanish! He is involved.
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"The other day he went through the welcoming rite at the stadium cheering the fans on with the megaphone. We also did it to [Giorgio] Chiellini. He looks happy."
Bale made his debut for LAFC in their 2-1 win over Nashville last month and followed that up with his first goal for the club in a 2-0 win at Sporting Kansas City.
He made his third appearance off the bench on Saturday as LAFC beat Seattle Sounders 2-1.
Sanchez says Bale has already managed to improve the Western Conference leaders in his short time at the club.
"It has been a confidence boost. That a footballer of his enormous level has decided to come highlights our project," added Sanchez.
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"I admit it, when you see that he is now your partner, that makes us push a little harder to compete and to try to win.
"And everything we have seen and felt with him is pure commitment. He wants to help us win titles."
LAFC are now four points clear at the top of the Western Conference, having played a game less than their closest rivals Austin.
Bale's side next face Mexican outfit Club America in a friendly on Thursday before returning to MLS action against Real Salt Lake on Sunday.