REAL MADRID
Gareth Bale admits he's not 100% fit ahead of Cardiff final
The Welsh player spoke to media as part of Real Madrid's open press day and admitted that this has been a difficult season for him.
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale spoke to the world's media today as Real Madrid prepare ahead of Saturday's Champions League final in Cardiff.
Bale admitted that playing in his native Cardiff would have an added dimension: "It’s massively special for me personally as it’s where I was born and where I grew up but any Champions League final is special so it’s just that little bit extra special for myself”.
Fitness doubt
The Welsh international also acknowledged the battle with injury and when asked about his fitness level he stated “No, I’m not 100% match fit, I haven’t played in six, seven weeks and I’ve been recovering from my operation. I’ve been playing with a lot of pain even when I came back, taking tablets to get through games and training. So the last six, seven weeks have enabled me to rest my ankle a bit and get better and obviously recover from the injury. I’m not 100% but have been working hard with double sessions over the last few weeks to get myself ready, whether that is to start or be involved at some point".