Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui has described Gareth Bale as 'extraordinary' and backed the Welshman to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure.
Bale scored Real's second goal as they rounded off their International Champions Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Roma in New Jersey on Tuesday night.
The reigning European champions haven't yet reinvested the £100million they received from Juventus for Ronaldo in another Galactico, meaning Bale will take centre stage.
Lopetegui refused to compare Bale to Ronaldo but is optimistic the forward will have an excellent season.
'It's not about replacing someone or filling their role, it's about being part of the team,' he said. 'Gareth Bale is obviously a great player but it's not for me to make comparisons.
'I see soccer a bit differently than you do. No player puts the team on their back. It's about the team playing for each other and that's what we're pushing for.
'Bale is an extraordinary player and we're confident he will have a great season.'
Bale looks in great shape having started his pre-season preparations much earlier than many of his Real team-mates who went to the World Cup.
As well as scoring in the win over Roma he also supplied the pass for Marco Asensio to open the scoring in the second minute.
Bale joined Real from Tottenham back in 2013 for a then world record fee of £85m but it hasn't always been easy for him at the Bernabeu with injuries taking their toll.
But he has won the Champions League on four occasions during his time with the Spanish giants, as well as La Liga, the Copa del Rey and two FIFA Club World Cup titles.
EmmanuelFluxvibz
58
Am a Madrid loyal fan . And I will prefer saying de truth than to say other things. Thus there are only two bxt players of this recent century ie Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi . If u're unlucky to loose one of them like Real Madrid then u're ready to play without a bxt player in ur Syd . In fact the evident was last year champions league When de present came against de future. Thus Cr7 eliminated Neymar and Mbappe And Messi eliminated Hazard in de champions league. De shoe of Ronaldo is too hot 4 Bale to put on. Cr7 is one of de few guys that cut short his injury durations to play 4 his club as a sacrifice we all know not even messi does it not talk Bale
prudent
32
This is a golden opportunity for Bale to step up. Though he might not be as good as Ronaldo but he does it well too. I wish him a worthy time and pray he shines well. No injury Gareth man.