Former Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has opened up on what it takes to succeed at Real Madrid as Jude Bellingham continues to set the world alight in Spain following his big-money transfer earlier this year. The 20-year-old is already the top scorer in La Liga with 10 goals in 11 games and has made a fine start to the Champions League as well.

It leaves Bellingham as one of the standout players in the world despite his age and expectation rests on his shoulders when it comes to playing for England as well. For Bale, this is something he went through as the star for Wales. The ex-Southampton defender and LAFC attacker is now retired though after calling quits on his playing days earlier this year.

Bale would only go on to play seven times for Los Blancos after his surprise return to England in 2020/2021 and it left him with just 21 goals in his final three years at the club. He did go on to become one of the most decorated British players of all time, winning the Champions League and La Liga five times as well as a Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup and Club World Cup for every year between 2014 and 2018, but by the end of his time at Santiago Bernabeu Bale had become a controversial figure.

For a player with all of his accolades, he managed over 100 goals in 258 games as well as 67 assists and some momentous moments along the way, Bale was never taken to by the home support like it was expected. Like Eden Hazard, who retired last month, Bale went out under the radar and not in keeping with his notable and dynamic style of play.

He is now spending time doing other things that he enjoys, notably playing golf and making the occasional media appearance. Bale's name is still one of the largest and most successful, if not the clear leader, when it comes to British players at Madrid, but Bellingham already looks set to make a true run for that such position.

The former Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund midfielder is taking the world by storm but Bale has a word of warning for the youngster. Speaking on A League of Their Own Bale was asked to give Bellingham some wisdom. "The biggest advice, play the game at Madrid. If you don't play the game, do what the media want, speak to them, basically be a puppet, you do get a lot of stick," he said.

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"You'll see a lot of Galacticos, they act like Galacticos, they play the game of being at Real Madrid, that's probably why it was at a bit of a downfall for me," he continued. Bale made a sensational start, scoring 15 and assisting 13 in his first 27 league games in Spain, also contributing the winning goal in the 2013/2014 Champions League final.

He then went on to score 32 league goals in his next two seasons as well, winning Europe's biggest prize twice more along the way, but things started to change as perception of him shifted. "I didn't want to do it, I just wanted to play football and go home and that probably hindered me and that made them attack me a bit more," he explained. "My advice would be honestly to just play the game of Real Madrid off the field."

In the wake of David Beckham's recent documentary which shines a light on the expectations and demands of the biggest players when moving to Madrid, Bale's words certainly resonate and it's the small things that make a big difference. "You just kind of have to do your [duty].," Bale said. "Speak after the games, make sure you speak in Spanish, do those kind of things."

For Bellingham, he appears to be taking it all in his stride and has wasted no time becoming a firm fan favourite in the capital. Meanwhile he remains an extremely popular member of England's squad and is central to Gareth Southgate's plans for Euro 2024 next summer.

He has been withdrawn from the most recent squad for upcoming qualifiers but Bellingham remains in touch with his international teammates. When sending a message of support to Tottenham's James Maddison following his emotional injury post on Instagram, Bellingham simply put a crying face and heart made out of hands in response.

In recent times it has been the other way round too with Maddison and Declan Rice amongst those to send praise Bellingham's way. What is for certain currently is that nothing is stopping Bellingham from playing some dominant football across the world.