'Priceless' Gareth Bale lauded by Spanish press while Cristiano Ronaldo says he is 'enjoying' playing with the £86m Welshman at Real Madrid

Drastic turnaround for the former Tottenham winger in Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) celebrates his first goal in the 5-1 win over Real Sociedad with Gareth Bale on Saturday

By JAMES ORR

Monday 11 November 2013

The plaudits just keep on rolling in for Gareth Bale, Real Madrid’s assist machine. Once criticised in Spain after a quiet start to his career in La Liga, the winger, signed for a world-record £86m, has now been labelled as “priceless” by the press, while Cristiano Ronaldo says he is “enjoying” playing alongside the Welshman.

Madrid’s attacking triumvirate of Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema have been named “The Holy Trinity” by Madrid-based newspaper Marca, who also wrote about Bale today: “The Welshman, who arrived at Real Madrid right at the close of the transfer window and without taking part in pre-season, struggled to adapt at Real, plagued by the muscular injuries brought on by inactivity and being rushed into the team.

“However, in the last four competitive matches he has started (Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano, Juventus and Real Sociedad), Bale has shown that he is priceless. The Welshman scored three goals in those four fixtures and what is more important he got five assists to his name. His partnership with Benzema and Cristiano can be nothing short of lethal.”

Ronaldo, whose mantle of the world’s most expensive player Bale took when moved from Tottenham during the summer, says the Bernabeu is now starting to feel like home for Bale.

“He [Bale] is a player that is starting to feel at home with us now,” Ronaldo who signed for Madrid for £80m from Manchester United in 2009 said.

“He is starting to play very well and the fact is I'm enjoying playing alongside him and with Karim [Benzema] as well and [Angel] Di Maria.

“We are all getting to know each other.”