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 his team mates a chance, up to his spectacular move to the Bernabéu. The book details his apprenticeship at Southampton and his fast evolving stint as a Tottenham Hotspur player under the guidance of Harry Redknapp.

'Gareth Bale, el ciclón de Gales' covers the player's growth problems which almost called time on his football career, as well as his fine displays for 'Spurs', including his sensational hat-trick on 20th October at the San Siro against the champions of Europe, Inter Milan.

The book details Bale's explosive 2012-13 season under André Villas-Boas, which confirmed his name as a complete midfielder, with a record of 26 goals in official matches for Tottenham. Bale's fine season saw him take all the individual awards in English football.

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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 to lead the line for 'Los Blancos'.

As for Real's brand of football under Carlo Ancelotti, the legend stated that "Real Madrid must stay true to its style. You're not likely to ever see the same intricate passing other teams play at the Bernabéu".

Sánchez had positive words for another of his former clubs, Atlético de Madrid, whom he called "a serious contender for the title, because it's competing well and Diego Simeone has stamped his mark on the team. Plus, Diego Costa is a very effective striker who is in great form".

Finally, the ex-Mexico ace expressed his "pride" at being named the LFP ambassador. Though admitting the role "sounds a bit political", he said he would perform it "with all the professionalism and passion I showed at every team I played for".

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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 without the need for hospitalisation.

But the injury did not evolve as expected and Higuaín was forced to undergo surgery, although he at first refused to go under the knife until the end of the season. In December the injury worsened and Mourinho and the club's medical staff urged him to have the operation.

However, a new treatment appeared on the horizon and it looked like Higuaín would manage to avoid the operating theatre once and for all. But it didn't go well and by the end of the month the club was already seeking a doctor to carry out the surgery.

On 11th January in Chicago, Higuain entered the operating theatre of Dr. Fessler, an expert in the field. The operation was quick and successful with the doctor performing a non-invasive intervention, meaning less distress for the player.

The procedure was conducted at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Higuaín was accompanied by four people: his mother Nancy, his father Jorge, Real Madrid's Sanitas doctor, Carlos Díez, and the Argentinean team doctor, Daniel Martínez.

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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 aspect", he said.

Valdano believes the club has been in need of a more unified football strategy for some time: "Madrid has needed a solid football strategy for some time. Something that is fixed and engraved in the club".

The Argentine believes Messi is "a natural genius" and in reference to Bale's price-tag, he added: "Cristiano and Messi are worth much more than €100 million. Bale has got time to prove himself and Madrid is the best place to do so".

There is no place for Mourinho in Valdano's books, but the latter does give his view on the manager's profile: "Excessive power at such big clubs causes individual dependence and when this person goes there is a great feeling of emptiness". Valdano concluded by saying that the Real Madrid team "has to change accordingly".

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"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 released a statement:

1. It is totally false that Bale has that reported injury on his back.

2. The club confirmed that Bale has no injury this Thursday. Surprisingly, the sports daily refused to report this conversation.

3. Bale has a protrusion that is common in many football players. That doesn't affect the normal development of his professional activity.

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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 question is how long he can keep going in this condition. It could be months, years or even his whole career. It is practically impossible to estimate the evolution of Bale's injury.

Real Madrid hopes the player's hernia will not cause him problems, but the club is also well aware that a hernia and a protrusion like those suffered by Bale pose a risk when playing two games per week.

The winger knows the extent of his injury and that he has to keep working on the abdominal and dorsal area to the maximum if he wants to delay the onset of pain to the maximum.

However, it seems the Welshman's injury is not going to keep him out of action for the coming week. Bale continues to train at Valdebebas in order to be fit for the game against Málaga next Saturday and his only aim at the moment is to recover from his thigh injury and regain fitness.

Ancelotti believes he will have Bale at his disposal for the clash against Málaga and, perhaps more importantly, against Barcelona on 26th October.

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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 official presentation at the club. The MRI scan left no room for doubt: a slipped disc on the L5 -S1 vertebrae and a bulge, which is the beginnings of another, on L4 -L5. An injury that set alarm bells ringing at the Sanitas clinic in La Moraleja, just outside Madrid, and from where Florentino Pérez was informed of the injury hiding in the former Tottenham player's spine.

Bale said he hadn't noticed any pain at all and claimed he had never had problems in that area before.

There was no going back on the signing. The deal was done and Florentino Pérez, who was now up to speed on Bale's secret, did not object. The € 91million deal was going to go ahead as planned and neither hell nor high water would prevent Bale from running onto the pitch at the Bernabeú in a Nº 11 shirt, in front of a 40,000 strong crowd.

Since he was in no pain, the club chose not to dwell on it. But those who saw that MRI scan know all too well that they may face a very serious problem with the Welsh player at any moment...

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