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Gareth Bale says he is enjoying his football at Real Madrid despite Rafael Benitez exit

Gareth Bale of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and RC Deportivo La Coruna
Image: Gareth Bale admits he has had to shrug off personal disappointment at Rafael Benitez's sacking as Real Madrid manager

Gareth Bale says he is happy at Real Madrid and enjoying his football, despite the sacking of Rafael Benitez.

Bale had a good relationship with Benitez and was reportedly linked with a move away from the Bernabeu in the wake of the Spaniard's sacking last week.

However, while he admits to disappointment at the dismissal, Bale says his immediate future lies in the Spanish capital, and he scored a second hat-trick in four games on Saturday night as Zinedine Zidane began life in charge with a 5-0 win over Deportivo la Coruna.

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And Bale said: "I don't feel I need to make a statement to anyone. I know what I'm capable of and I just want to keep enjoying my football and when I do that I play my best.

"I'm happy at the moment. Obviously you can never predict what happens in the future, but I'm enjoying my football at the moment so I'll keep going."

Real Madrid's coach Rafael Benitez gestures on the sideline during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF
Image: Benitez was sacked and replaced by former midfielder Zinedine Zidane

Bale was given a standing ovation after taking his tally to 10 goals in his last seven games on Saturday, but did concede that he had been sad to see Benitez lose his job.

"I had a very good relationship with Rafa, obviously it was a big disappointment to see him go," said Bale.

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The Sun's Shaun Custis believes Bale would have no interest in leaving Real Madrid for a return to the Premier League

"But things like this happen in football, you're professional and you get on with it and carry on."

Instead, Bale is now under the tutelage of one of his boyhood heroes, who encouraged him to first fall in love with Madrid during the club's Galactico era, culminating in Zidane's sensational volley to win the 2002 Champions League final.

Hat-trick hero Bale is congratulated by new boss Zinedine Zidane
Image: Hat-trick hero Bale is congratulated by new boss Zidane

"As a player he was incredible," added Bale. "They were all superstars and I just loved watching Real Madrid, it was a great team to watch.

"You try and emulate people like that. He's a legend not just at the club, but for football.

"We had a chat when he first came in, and I think no matter what I'll always give 100 per cent on a football pitch and that's what I did [against Deportivo]."

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Watch Bale bag a hat-trick for Real Madrid against Deportivo

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