GARETH BALE was treated like a hero during Los Angeles FC’s celebratory parade after claiming the MLS Cup.
The former Tottenham and Real Madrid star, 33, scored a 128th-minute equaliser against Philadelphia Union before they went on to win the trophy on penalties.
And as the players stepped out onto the stage for a victory party in front of their fans on Sunday, Bale was met with rapturous applause.
The Welshman’s final heroics had quite the impact on the LAFC supporters – who watched their team lift the MLS Cup for the first time.
And Bale looked over the moon at the reception from the American fans as he revelled in winning another piece of silverware.
Speaking after the game, he said: “Everybody has been able to chip in, and it was nice to be able to do that.
“It has been a difficult transition coming in without a preseason.
“I’ve been trying to catch up, and also, relocating the family wasn’t easy, but I have tried to keep as fit as possible and help the team as much as I can.
“The reason I came here was to help the club win a trophy. They have come close in the past but never got to a final and won it.”
Bale has not played a full 90 minutes for LAFC and was forced to come off the bench to impact the final.
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But he did just that, helping LAFC – who had earlier been reduced to 10 men – to bounce back from dramatically conceding in the 124th minute.
Bale moved to America earlier this year in a bid to play regularly ahead of the World Cup.
But his World Cup dream was thrown into doubt after he missed LAFC’s MLS Cup semi-final.
However, fearing for their captain’s well-being, SunSport exclusively revealed that Wales sent physios over to the US to help get him in top shape for the tournament – which starts in less than two weeks.
Bale will captain Wales in Qatar later this month as they face USA, Iran and England in Group B.
