Bale will ‘help fill the void’ after Ronaldo’s exit from Real Madrid, insists Lopetegui
Gareth Bale can “help fill the void” left by Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has said.
Portuguese forward Ronaldo, 33, joined Italian champions Juventus in July, ending a record-breaking nine-year spell in the Spanish capital in which he helped the team win two Primera Liga titles.
Madrid’s only attacking reinforcement this summer has been 18-year-old Brazilian Vinicius Junior, but Bale – who had also been linked with an exit from the Bernabeu – has been backed to take on more responsibility this season.
“Gareth is happy to play at Real Madrid,” Lopetegui said at a press conference in Miami ahead of Madrid’s International Champions Cup match against Manchester United last night.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the main players in the recent history of Real Madrid. He expressed a desire to leave and we allowed him to.
“Gareth Bale is a magnificent player, with so many qualities. He can help fill the void.”
Bale came off the bench to score twice in Madrid’s Uefa Champions League final win against Liverpool in May.
The Wales forward has lifted European football’s biggest prize four times since joining Madrid in 2013.
Bale has been linked with a move away over the summer, with a return to Tottenham Hotspur, the club he joined Real from, and a move to Manchester United also mooted.
“I don’t walk to talk about hypothetical situations,” Lopetegui said.
“Gareth is happy to play at Real Madrid. This is a fantastic opportunity for him to show his talent.
“He is with the team. He is happy and aligned with our goals. It is the start of an exciting path for us.”
Lopetegui has replaced Zinedine Zidane as the club’s manager since that third successive Champions League success, and the former Spain manager believes he has a squad good enough to challenge again.
“We are delighted with the squad we have and are convinced that we will fight for all our objectives,” Lopetegui said. “If a player doesn’t come or go, I will be a happy coach.
“With the squad we have, we will be able to face the demands of Real Madrid.”
Real begin their season with an Uefa Super Cup clash against Europa League winners and city rivals Atletico Madrid on August 15.
They face Getafe in their opening Primera Liga match four days later.
As to how preparations were developing for the campaign, Lopetegui said: “The important thing is to prepare for the season in all aspects.
“Take the pace of competition, we will face this match in the best possible way.
“But, we have had a little less preparation time than them and we must try to be up to the circumstances and be able to continue in our preparation for the Super Cup, which is the first great goal of the season.”