All the secrets of Gareth Bale

Is Gareth Bale really worth the money splashed out on him? In the book 'Gareth Bale, el ciclón de Gales' ('Gareth Bale, the Welsh Cyclone', Al Poste Ediciones), the player's life and football journey that led him to Real Madrid can be followed after what was one of the most talked-about transfer deals ever. The book starts with his early days at Whitchurch High School, where his coaches refused to let him play with his left foot in order to give...

Read more

Hugo Sánchez: "Benzema needs to show more spirit and personality"

Former Real Madrid striker Hugo Sánchez, who has just been appointed the Spanish league's new ambassador for the Americas, discussed the battle up front at his old club. "Benzema needs to prove he can cope with the pressure. Morata won't want to let this opportunity slip", he stated. The Mexican believes Benzema "has had time" to fulfil his obvious "talent and ability", but the Frenchman has not demonstrated the "spirit and personality" required...

Read more

HERNIA BRINGS BACK BAD MEMORIES : The injury that led Higuaín to the operating theatre

Bale's hernia brings back bad memories for the Real fans and medical staff. The Welshman is not the first footballer from Real Madrid to suffer such an injury. 'Pipita' Higuain went through the same thing three seasons ago. The Argentine suffered a herniated disc in the lumbar (L5-S1), which resulted in sensory and motor weakness in his legs. At first, he attempted to avoid surgery with a treatment that was intended to heal the Argentine...

Read more

Valdano: "Ronaldo and Messi are worth much more than €100 million"

Jorge Valdano spoke to Radio MARCA about his latest book, 'Los 11 poderes del líder' ('The 11 Powers of a Leader'). The former Real Madrid General Director also talked about current issues at his old club. "Football has been very generous financially to Real Madrid. The football side has been solid and perhaps now is the time for the financial side to give way and allow the playing side to be the most prominent...

Read more

"Bale hasn't slipped disc"

This Saturday, 'MARCA' reported Gareth Bale has a slipped disc on the L5 -S1 vertebrae and a bulge on the L4 -L5. This amounts to a significant injury which, at least for the moment, isn't giving him trouble and won't prevent him from playing for the foreseeable future. However, further down the line it may force him off the pitch and, depending on how things progress, may even require surgery. But Real Madrid...

Read more

A ticking time bomb

Gareth Bale's hernia means the Real Madrid medical staff need to tread carefully. The gap between the lumbar (L5-S1) and Bale's strong musculature, both in the abdominal area and the back, mean the player does not feel discomfort at the moment. However, the medical staff are working meticulously with the Welshman in order to avoid worsening the injury, which could force him into surgery, following in the footsteps of Altintop and Higuaín. The...

Read more

Bale's secret slips out

Gareth Bale has a slipped disc on the L5 -S1 vertebrae and a bulge on the L4 -L5. This amounts to a significant injury which, at least for the moment, isn't giving him trouble and won't prevent him from playing for the foreseeable future. However, further down the line it may force him off the pitch and, depending on how things progress, may even require surgery. Real Madrid medical staff diagnosed the injury on 2nd September, the day of his...

Read more