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Ronaldo and co. fear nutmegs at Real Madrid, says Bale

ESPN staff
March 6, 2015
Gareth Bale famously managed to nutmeg Cristiano Ronaldo within weeks of arriving in Madrid © Getty Images
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Gareth Bale says he has to be sharp in training or the other Real Madrid galacticos will quickly be on his case.

Just weeks after joining Madrid for £85 million from Tottenham in summer 2013, Bale was caught on camera embarrassing new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo with a clever nutmeg during warm-up 'rondos' at the club's Valdebebas training ground.

Such footage regularly appears showing Madrid's players laughing and joking with each other, with super-talented stars such as Ronaldo, Isco and even defender Pepe enjoying tricking their team-mates.

Bale told FourFourTwo magazine that the squad were aware of the cameras and go to great lengths to ensure their skills aren't shown up in front of their peers.

"It is a bit surreal to be called a 'galactico'," Bale said. "The one thing you don't want is to be on the end of a nutmeg. Especially with rows of cameras. We're always getting killed out there - I just try not to let it be me.

"Whenever someone gets nutmegged, we're all jumping and joking around. If you get 'megged, or you go 20 passes without touching the ball, you stay in for an extra go. They'll do anything to keep you in the middle."

There are fewer smiles if Madrid's players attempt to try something elaborate during a game, and Bale was whistled by the Bernabeu crowd during January's 4-1 home win over Real Sociedad.

Those Madrid supporters were apparently upset that Bale had gone for goal himself rather than passing to Ronaldo during previous games against Valencia and Espanyol.

Coincidence or no, since the booing Bale has neither scored nor given an assist in his last six games in all competitions.

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