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Carlos Vela warns his new LAFC team-mate Gareth Bale he ‘will have to work hard because MLS is NOT an easy league like many people think’… with the Welshman told to be ready for a ‘very physical’ challenge in the States
- Gareth Bale has agreed a one-year contract with LAFC after leaving Real Madrid
- Carlos Vela, who has re-signed with LAFC, is excited to team up with Bale
- But the former Arsenal man has warned Bale he ‘will have to work hard’ in MLS
- LAFC are top of MLS’ Western Conference and have also signed Giorgio Chiellini
If Gareth Bale thought a move to Major League Soccer would be easy, he is mistaken, warns new LAFC team-mate Carlos Vela.
Bale has agreed a 12-month deal to move to Los Angeles, following the expiration of his contract with Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old Wales captain is determined to build his way up to peak fitness in time for the World Cup in November, with his nation making their first appearance at the finals since 1958.
Gareth Bale has joined Major League Soccer side LAFC having departed Real Madrid
New team-mate Carlos Vela has warned Bale that MLS is ‘not an easy league like many think’
But former Arsenal attacker Vela, who has just signed a contract extension to commit his future to LAFC, has issued a warning to Bale if he thinks MLS is going to be a walk in the park.
‘Well this league is very physical,’ Vela told reporters.
‘If Bale is in good shape and comes with a good mentality and attitude he will be very important because he is a big player that comes from Real Madrid so I don’t have to talk much about him.
‘Everyone knows how good Bale is.
Bale is looking to build up to peak fitness ready for the World Cup with Wales in November
‘The only thing I can say is that he will have to work hard because MLS is not an easy league like many people think.’
Los Angeles announced Bale’s arrival on Monday evening with a series of clips showing his finest moments at Real Madrid, where his contract is about to expire in the culmination of his nine-year spell with the LaLiga champions.
Bale replied ‘let’s go’ to a statement from LAFC saying: ‘Bale will occupy an international roster slot upon the receipt of his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate.’
The Welshman scored 106 goals in 258 appearances for Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns.
But Bale played sparingly for Madrid in recent years, making only seven appearances last season while struggling with several injuries.
As a result, LAFC’s co-president John Thorrington is wary of rushing him into action given his injury problems.
Vela (middle) has told Bale to expect a ‘very physical’ league when he heads to United States
‘With our sport science team and coaches understanding how to manage a player, like Gareth, who, whether you call them a thoroughbred racehorse or Ferrari, whatever your analogy is, they do need extra attention and, care and management in order to put them in a position to succeed,’ Thorrington said.
‘That is certainly our intention here, and we´re confident that we will be able to do that.’
Bale will be eligible to make his LAFC debut after the secondary transfer window opens July 7.
From there, the club’s first match after the window opens is against closest rival LA Galaxy on July 8.
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