Bale settled with Madrid as they win Super Cup

Gareth Bale returned to his native Cardiff on Tuesday night as star-studded Real started the new campaign as they finished the last one – with a trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s double secured a 2-0 Super Cup victory for the Champions League winners over La Liga rivals Sevilla as the Wales international again exhibited his trademark pace and power.

Bale set up Ronaldo’s first goal with a sublime cross and the world’s most expensive player, following his £86m move from Tottenham a year ago, expects Real to be a major force again this season.

“When I came to Madrid I wanted to settle down off the pitch as soon as possible because I knew if I could concentrate on my football I knew what I was capable of,” Bale said after Real’s triumph at the Cardiff City Stadium.

“I know everybody in the squad now. I feel comfortable and the second season you’re obviously feeling a lot better.”

“In sport anything can happen but hopefully we’ll be strong again. We feel confident and will be trying our hardest to win every trophy.”

Summer signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos both made their debuts in Wales and Bale believes the extra quality will serve Real well as they seek to become the first club to make a successful defence of the Champions League.

“It’s always good to have options,” Bale said. “It keeps competition more fierce and hopefully performances can go up.”

“The new lads have settled in very well. Toni speaks English, so he’s with me!”

“It’s great to have him and James here and they both did very well.”

“We’re in a strong position and it’s exciting.”

Bale admitted coming back home to win the Super Cup in Cardiff was special to him.

“For me personally it was a great night to be home in my home town,” he said.

“To win the trophy was the most important thing, but to win it in Cardiff made it a perfect evening.”

“All my family and friends were here so I had a lot of requests for tickets.”

“But the most important thing for me, the whole team and Real Madrid was that we won the Super Cup and got the trophy.”