Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale said yesterday he has an extra incentive to reach a third Champions League final in four years because the title game will be played in his hometown of Cardiff.

“This is the reason I came to Madrid - to play in the Champions League, to win the Champions League,” the 27-year-old Bale said.

“To have the Champions League final in my home town is an even bigger motivation.”

The Wales international helped Real beat Atletico Madrid on penalties to march to their 11th European title and his second with the club in the 2015-16 campaign before playing for his country at Euro 2016.

“Two in three years is an amazing achievement,” he said. “Now we want to look to the next one.”

Bale is on a 10-man shortlist for UEFA’s Best Player in Europe award.

The winner will be announced this evening in Monaco during

the 2016-17 Champions League draw.

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