Bale should follow Ronaldo example, says Zidane
The France legend believes the Santiago Bernabeu side's record signing will be under huge pressure and has advised him to look at how the Portugal star coped with it four years ago.
Zinedine Zidane says Cristiano Ronaldo is an example to follow for Gareth Bale when it comes to dealing with the immense pressure at Real Madrid following his world-record €100 million transfer from Tottenham this summer.
The Portugal international was previously the most expensive transfer following his €94m move from Manchester United to Madrid in 2009.
And, Zidane, who moved to Madrid for around €75m in 2001, knows what the weight of expectation at the club feels like and suggests that Bale looks no further than Ronaldo, who he believes has dealt extremely well with the extra pressure his immense price tag brought with it.
"Some of my statements about Gareth have been misinterpreted. When I said that he is a player that costs a lot of money, I was referring to the great pressure that this player will be under. At least that's what happened to me," the assistant coach told Real Madrid TV.
"The pressure [on Bale] is huge, of course, but we have the best example in Cristiano Ronaldo. He is the most expensive player in football history and he has spectacularly overcome enormous pressure.
"His stats, his performances ... Everything he gives to Real Madrid on and off the pitch is genuinely spectacular. Real Madrid do not consider his price but rather everything he brings to the club."
The 24-year-old Bale could make his official Madrid debut away against Villarreal on Saturday.
The Portugal international was previously the most expensive transfer following his €94m move from Manchester United to Madrid in 2009.
And, Zidane, who moved to Madrid for around €75m in 2001, knows what the weight of expectation at the club feels like and suggests that Bale looks no further than Ronaldo, who he believes has dealt extremely well with the extra pressure his immense price tag brought with it.
"Some of my statements about Gareth have been misinterpreted. When I said that he is a player that costs a lot of money, I was referring to the great pressure that this player will be under. At least that's what happened to me," the assistant coach told Real Madrid TV.
"The pressure [on Bale] is huge, of course, but we have the best example in Cristiano Ronaldo. He is the most expensive player in football history and he has spectacularly overcome enormous pressure.
"His stats, his performances ... Everything he gives to Real Madrid on and off the pitch is genuinely spectacular. Real Madrid do not consider his price but rather everything he brings to the club."
The 24-year-old Bale could make his official Madrid debut away against Villarreal on Saturday.
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