'I would definitely be interested in it' - Bale on MLS

Gareth Bale has said he would be interested in playing in Major League Soccer in America if he leaves Real Madrid.

Bale has not been a regular in Zinedine Zidane's team this season and the 30-year-old almost departed last summer, before a move to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning fell through.

Any MLS club keen to sign Bale would likely have to overcome the huge financial implications of a deal. Bale's Madrid contract ends in 2022 and earns him close to 30 million euros ($33 million) a year before tax.

"I really like the league," said Bale, speaking to the Hat-Trick podcast presented by the ICC, in an episode released on Thursday.

"I think it's grown so much over the years. When we come over and play them in pre-season, the games are difficult, the standard is getting a lot better. The clubs are improving, the facilities are improving, the stadiums are improving.

"I think it's a league that's on the up and still rising. I think a lot more players want to come over to America now and play. I would definitely be interested in it."
"We were all celebrating as a team and I'm not not going to not jump around with my teammates. It was a bit of banter, a bit of fun."