GARETH BALE is the shrewd Real Madrid multi-millionaire who could just as easily be a top businessman as well as one of the world’s best footballers.
The former Spurs star became the game’s most expensive player when he moved to the Bernabeu for £86million in September 2013.
13Gareth Bale has shrewdly made an absolute fortune throughout his careerCredit: Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
But a telling testament to his level-headedness lies in a story from Bale’s ex-Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp.
Redknapp told Bale to have four days rest and go for a beach holiday during another relentless Premier League season.
But instead the Welshman – who now earns £350,000 a week after tax in Madrid – went home to Cardiff to see his mum.
Even now Bale will get on the blower to mum Debbie and ask for her advice before he makes any business decision.
13Gareth Bale has four Champions League crowns with Real MadridCredit: EPA13The Welshman has been relatively frugal with his massive earningsCredit: Getty Images
And he has repaid Debbie, 57, and dad Frank, 61, financially by making them millions through a clever business scheme.
In 2015 Bale gave his folks £5m — by pumping £12.6m into a firm he owns with them.
He transferred the sum from his image rights into Primesure Ltd, which is 40 per cent owned by his mum and dad.
They were already financially secure after pocketing around £2m when Bale joined Real Madrid in 2013.
13Gareth Bale has made parents Frank and Debbie financially secure for lifeCredit: Getty Images13Gareth Bale was surrounded by his family when he signed for Real Madrid back in 2013Credit: Getty13The family house in Whitchurch that Gareth Bale’s parents still call homeCredit: Wales News Service
But in true understated Bale style, they are thought to still live in a former council home in Cardiff where their world famous son was brought up.
It is all part of the Bale brand – one noticeably at odds with that of ex-Los Blancos team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese’s Instagram page is littered with extravagant displays of his vast wealth.
But go on Bale’s and you are more likely to see a photo of him playing golf – his other passion in life.
And when you’re worth £24.5m, you can afford to build a replica of the sport’s most famous hole in your back garden.
13Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were team-mates with very different personalitiesCredit: Getty Images13Gareth Bale has this replica of the 17th hole at Sawgrass in his back gardenCredit: Twitter13The infamous 17th hole at SawgrassCredit: Getty