Gareth Bale turned up for his first day at the office and was warmly welcomed by the man he has replaced as the world’s most expensive footballer.

Perhaps conscious of Bale being seen as a pretender to Cristiano Ronaldo’s crown in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid made sure there was an early display of a united front as Bale was greeted by the man he referred to as ‘the boss’ in his presentation last week.  

The two galacticos shook hands in a heavily staged ‘chance meeting’ in the club car park.

It is the picture Real president Florentino Perez has been desperate to see ever since Barcelona unveiled £48million Brazil star  Neymar as Lionel Messi’s sidekick.

Bale arrived in Madrid yesterday morning and was driven to the same city-centre hotel where his coach Carlo Ancelotti is staying.  

He will live there until he sets up home with his family in the same La Finca private estate that is home to Ronaldo.

Ancelotti emerged from Bale’s new temporary home just before the Welshman was driven up by club delegate Javi Coll. 

The former Real Madrid basketball player has been employed for so long by the club to help English-speaking players settle in that he remembers David Beckham finding his feet in the city in 2003.
Bale was then driven to Real’s Valdebebas training complex, where Ronaldo was waiting to  welcome him. 

Source: MailOnLine.com

Gareth Bale has been presented to Real Madrid supporters following his world record £85.3m (100m euros) transfer from Tottenham.

The Wales forward received a rapturous reception after stepping out on stage in a dark suit in front of more than 20,000 fans at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Speaking in Spanish, the 24-year-old told fans: "It is a dream to be here in Madrid. Thank you for this welcome."

Bale was then paraded on the pitch wearing the number 11 shirt.

Bale's arrival in Madrid was so popular that fans had to have tickets to get into the Bernabeu

Bale, who scored 21 league goals for Tottenham last season, agreed a £300,000 per week, six-year deal with Real on Sunday evening and passed a medical on Monday morning.

Confirmation of the transfer, which eclipsed the £80m Real paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, followed a summer-long saga involving extensive negotiations between the player, Spurs and Real.

Real fans queued up outside the Bernabeu on Monday before flooding into the stadium to greet their new idol.

They wore replica shirts emblazoned with the player's name, waved scarves and chanted Bale's name during a 10-minute welcome speech from club president Florentino Perez.

"Bale is an exceptional player," said Perez. "The negotiations have been intense, complicated and prolonged, but finally we have achieved our aim and we are delighted to welcome him as part of our team."

Bale juggled a ball on the pitch before kicking several into the crowd

Addressing Bale directly, he added: "We are the most demanding club in the world but we will always be by your side.

"Many of the best players in the world have graced this pitch and you are now following in their footsteps.

"This is your stadium, this is your shirt, these are your supporters. From today on, this is your home and that of your entire family. Welcome to your team, welcome to Real Madrid."

After a short address in Spanish and English, Bale was joined on stage by his family, including baby daughter Alba Violet, for photographs, before heading off to change into his new kit.

Source: bbc.com