Topics: Real Madrid, Champions League, La Liga, Gareth Bale, Trent Alexander-Arnold
Gareth Bale has spoken about the latest British player to make the jump from the Premier League to Real Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has played in both of Real Madrid's matches in the group stage of the Club World Cup, where they followed an opening-match draw with Saudi Pro League club side Al Hilal by beating Pachuca 3-1 in Charlotte on Sunday.
Speaking during his media duties as part of a bid to buy Championship club Cardiff City, Bale reflected on his own time at the Bernabeu and warned the former Liverpool right-back about the intensity that comes with playing for one of the handful of clubs in the world that have a claim to be bigger than the Reds.
Former Tottenham Hotspur winger Bale played for Real Madrid between 2013 and 2022. Despite winning a truckload of trophies, it's fair to say he didn't always enjoy the best relationship with the Blancos faithful.
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"It's a different experience than the Premier League," Bale told Sky Sports.
"The demand at Real Madrid, he'll soon understand how demanding a place it is... I'm sure he'll go there and enjoy it and yeah, do his best."
Bale's experience was full of highs and lows, from no fewer than five Champions League wins and three La Liga titles to spells with injury.
His light-hearted response to a suggestion that golf exacerbated his injury issues, including an infamous picture with a 'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order.' flag, wasn't especially well received by supporters.
Alexander-Arnold's experience will be his own but the immense pressure of being a Real Madrid player and the often particular tastes of the supporters will not be lost on him.
In terms of living up to the club's sky-high expectations, the ex-Liverpool man headed for La Liga in better shape than Bale.
The 26-year-old, who was on the Reds' books for more than 20 years, left Anfield with a Champions League winner's medal and two Premier League titles to his name.
Real Madrid's efforts to add the Club World Cup to his collection will continue on Thursday, when Los Blancos play a Group H decider against Red Bull Salzburg in Philadelphia.
