Gareth Bale: 'I can play even better'

Gareth Bale has insisted that there is much more to come from him after he scored his first hat-trick for Real Madrid last night.

With injured playmaker Cristiano Ronaldo watching from the sidelines, the Welshman found the net three times to inspire Carlo Ancelotti's men to a 4-0 triumph over Real Valladolid in La Liga.

After the match, Bale told his club's official website: "My teammates congratulated me for the match. It's always a pleasure to score, but even more so when you can score a hat-trick in the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I'm very happy here... I needed time to adapt after not having a pre-season, but I'm improving now. Everything I hoped for has come true. The fans and the club are incredible.

"I scored three goals but I hope to do better. I can do it. I want to keep improving and working hard during the matches and training sessions and learn from the best, like Cristiano Ronaldo. He's the best player in the world and he deserves the Ballon d'Or."

Bale's trio of goals completed a "perfect hat-trick", as he scored one with his left foot, one with his right and one with his head.