Gareth Bale has revealed that his mentality 'to go for things' led to his audacious overhead kick goal for Real Madrid in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool.
The Welsh forward scored one of the most memorable goals in European football history during Real's win over Real, thundering an utterly stunning overhead kick past the quite hapless Loris Karius to win his team their 13th European Cup.
Speaking to the Times, Bale has given an insight into how he scored that now legendary goal, revealing that the pressure of the final led to him attempting the bicycle kick.
"It was in the final, it was the winning goal and it was an overhead kick. It wasn't probably set up for an overhead kick but if you don't gamble in finals, you’re not going to win," he said.
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"What's the point in bringing it down and laying it off? I've always had the mentality to go for things. That's probably what's helped me on the biggest stage to produce the big moment.
"When a golfer's under pressure they shoot 71, 70. Imagine on a final day they just went out and didn't have a care in the world - they'd shoot 62, 63 and win comfortably. I just don't like it when people play it safe. That’' probably why I tried that overhead kick in the Champions League final."
The ex-Real Madrid man also discussed a perhaps equally famous goal he scored during his Los Blancos career - his Copa del Rey final winner against Barcelona in 2014. In his first season at the club, the Welsh star scored a sublime solo goal to win his side the trophy.
"It was the only way I could get to the goal. I know [Marc Bartra] is going to do whatever he can to bring me down, try and grab me, because it's [only] a yellow card on the halfway line. I know if I can get around him then I'm pretty much in on goal.
"It was extra special [as it was against Barcelona] and it was my first final as well.
"I read afterwards, 'It's about time he delivered something'. I’ve only been here for about seven months, that's a bit harsh! I showed my true character that I was able to fight through it. I learned how to deal with the pressure and not take it so seriously. It's a game of football - it's not going home and things are wrong in family life or with people’s health."
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This article was originally published on 90min as Gareth Bale reveals how he scored iconic Champions League final overhead kick.