With just over 48 hours to go until the climax of the UEFA Champions League season – Real Madrid CF winger and Nissan global ambassador Gareth Bale has spoken about what the Final’s host city, Cardiff, means to him.

As well as reflecting on his favourite memories, places to visit and what lifting the trophy in his beloved Welsh capital would mean, Gareth revealed it was his love of the beautiful game that sometimes got him into trouble on Cardiff’s streets.

Speaking to Nissan – the official global automotive sponsor of the UEFA Champions League – he said:

“I just remember watching football at my parents’ house…” He joked “I always got in trouble over at my friend’s house [playing football]. The old woman used to come out and call the police on us.”

Since becoming the most famous Welsh footballer on the planet, Gareth also talked about special murals which have popped up around the city to celebrate him.

“It’s a bit strange obviously. Growing up in Cardiff and just being a normal Cardiff boy….then seeing massive drawings on walls in the street of you.”

He also had some recommendations of where football fans heading to Cardiff this weekend might want to visit ahead of the match on Saturday night.

“Cardiff Castle is amazing. Then I think maybe just down in Cardiff Bay, there is a nice Nando’s (restaurant) down there…so all good!”

Gareth also spoke of his pride that the UEFA Champions League Final is being held in his home town and what it would mean to him to lift the trophy on home soil.

“To host the UEFA Champions League Final will obviously boost the economy and everything else around Cardiff as well. The UEFA Champions League trophy is obviously the number one trophy to lift and to have all my friends and family in my home city, it really would be a dream come true.”

(Nissan)