Gareth Bale claims Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is a 'great man' who is 'misunderstood'

Welshman says Ronaldo has helped him 'on and off the pitch'

Gareth Bale has described team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as a "great man" who is a "misunderstood".

Before Bale's transfer to Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, much was made of how the two would get on after £86m Bale usurped £80m Ronaldo as the world's most expensive player, but the Welshman has claimed that they have clicked from the word go.

"He is such a nice guy, so helpful and always wants the best for the team," Bale claimed in an interview with BT Sport’s The Claire Balding Show.

"Obviously people write things about him but people who actually know him know exactly what he is like and he’s a great man and a great footballer as well.

"He’s given me advice on and off the pitch, with football matters and not and he’s given me advice where to live and stuff like that.

"Since the first step that I made into Real Madrid he’s been absolutely amazing with me."

Real take on their neighbours Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final on 24 May, and Bale says it would be a "dream" to lift the trophy.

"Yes, it’s going to be very interesting," said Bale. "I think it’s the first time it’s ever happened with one major city having two teams in the final but it’s going to be a difficult game.

"We know how well they’ve played this season and we know what we’re capable of so I think as long as we execute our game plan on the day then hopefully we do win and yes, I think we have a lot of confidence going into the game and something we’re looking forward to. Obviously it would be a dream if we lift the trophy."