Gareth Bale joined LAFC because he 'wants to be happy', says Carlos Vela

It's been just over six weeks since Gareth Bale joined LAFC, but the smile still doesn't seem to have left his face.

Bale arrived in Los Angeles following an eight-year spell with Real Madrid that often saw him at odds with the club's supporters, despite scoring 106 goals and delivering a host of major trophies - including five Champions Leagues and three La Liga crowns.

The 106-time Wales international has made four substitute appearances for LAFC so far totaling 96 minutes, already scoring twice - most recently finishing a spectacular solo effort to help the Black and Gold crush Real Salt Lake 4-1.

Fellow attacking star and LAFC captain Carlos Vela has noticed the positivity coming from Bale since arriving at Banc of California Stadium, highlighting this as the exact reason he made the move in the first place, despite having offers available to him back in the UK.

“He wasn't playing the last year or two as much, so he was looking for a place where he will be happy, he will be himself, [where] we will help him to be as good as possible,” Vela said in an interview with MLSsoccer.com.

“He was looking for that because for sure he will have more options to stay in Europe or go back to England or Wales. But he decides on LA because he wants to be happy. It's the right place to be happy and also score some goals and hopefully win a championship. In his head, it's something like that.”

Bale's move to MLS was met with a predictable amount of criticism from outside the league. But joining LAFC will guarantee him regular minutes as he prepares for Wales' first World Cup campaign since 1958 in a team that currently sits atop the overall standings and is on course for another record-breaking Supporters' Shield win.

Ultimately, the only person Gareth Bale has to prove anything to is...Gareth Bale.

“In the end, it doesn't matter what you decide, the people will complain about your decision,” Vela added. “The only person you have to make happy is yourself. If he makes the decision to come it's because it's the best option for him and he's showing how good he is.

“I think you're seeing a better Gareth than the last couple of years for sure. He's preparing for a World Cup, so he will be in good shape and will help our goal to win MLS Cup.”

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