While there was speculation that and Gareth Bale had a frosty relationship at , the pair's remarks over time appear to have since poured over any rumours of a tense rivalry.

The duo played together in the Spanish capital for five seasons before Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018. Upon signing for Madrid in 2013 for £85million from , the Welshmen faced intense pressure to find his feet quickly after a series of injuries hampered his start to life in Spain.

Ronaldo later came out in defence of his new under-pressure team-mate, showing his own classy character. "I think is doing well since he arrived," he said at a press conference in 2013.

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"He has had a difficult time because [of a lack of] pre-season, and injury. It's better to leave him alone, don't put pressure on him, because I'm sure 100% he's going to do well for the club because he is a fantastic player, a fantastic boy and he always wants to learn."

The Al-Nassr star's words don't reflect someone who was supposed to have a fractured relationship with Bale. In fact, speaking to in July 2023, Bale addressed claims he used to argue with the former icon, claiming he had no remorse over his decision to join Madrid.

"I never had one single problem with anybody," he said. "I don’t think I ever had an argument with anyone. Even through the hard times, it was good in the changing room. I honestly really enjoyed my time there apart from the few moments where it was difficult on the pitch." The Welshman also insisted: "I have no regrets. I made the right decision."

Rumoured tension often made headlines during their time together at Madrid. Ronaldo was to look unimpressed when Bale scored, while more flames were fanned after the Portuguese star claimed that he didn't necessarily have a strong relationship with his team-mates, while name dropping Bale.

"Bale coming to dinner at my house or going out together doesn’t add anything," he said. "We’re professionals. What happens off it doesn’t count, it matters that we are a team on it.”

However, Bale has done nothing but extinguish all doubts. "Cristiano is an incredible player, I thoroughly enjoyed playing with him," he told in March 2019. "Obviously the media try and hype up these problems which were never there. We got on really well."

Speaking in an interview with Martin Borgmeier in June 2023, the former winger lifted the lid on how Ronaldo's temper would flare up if he failed to score in a game, but insisted there were no issues.

"He was a nice guy, nothing wrong, we didn't really have any problems. A lot of people could be scared of how he is but if you're not then it's fine," he said.

The pair won four titles and a title while playing together in Spain. After his time at Madrid, Ronaldo had a stint at and Manchester United for a second time before making his way to the Saudi Pro League.

Bale left Madrid in 2022 and retired from the game in 2023 after a short spell with Los Angeles FC.

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