Football
ESPN staff 9y

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale don't hate each other, says Bale's agent

"There's no hatred" between Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, according to the Welshman's agent, Jonathan Barnett.

Ronaldo may have won the past two Ballon d'Or awards, but he's had to share the spotlight at the Bernabeu since Bale's €100 million transfer in 2013.

Bale received some exasperated looks on the pitch from Ronaldo as he adjusted to La Liga, but Barnett told the Guardian that the two galacticos get along fine -- even if they're not the closest of friends.

"They don't go out eating every night together, but it's fine. There's no hatred there," Barnett said. "Gareth is a quiet guy. They're complete opposites.

"But I think Gareth can learn a little bit from Ronaldo as well, interacting maybe a little bit. But he wants his own life and he lives it.

"Gareth is a great footballer, he doesn't want anything more. He has some very good endorsements but his whole life is to be the best footballer in the world.

"I don't think he wants to be the best model in the world or the best underwear seller. That's not him."

Bale has received his share of criticism from the Madrid media and fans -- including a notable incident where his car was punched and kicked following a defeat in March.

But Barnett defended his client and suggested that some fans' loyalty to Ronaldo led them to place the blame solely on the newcomer Bale.

"I think there's a great love of Ronaldo. I think that the new guard is coming and there's some resentment, perhaps, to that. But I think things will change," Banett said.

"Gareth's now playing in a better position [more centrally], where he wants to play. I've always said it, I think he'll be the best player in the world in the next couple of years."

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