MLS is not a retirement league - Gareth Bale

, who made his debut for

alongside Giorgio Chiellini yesterday, believes that MLS standards have risen in recent years.

Yesterday, Bale played as a 72-minute substitute for his team's match against Nashville SC, and they were able to win 2-1 in Tennessee. The Welsh star, who has won the Champions League 5 times with

, left European champion in the summer after his contract expired, but now he claims that MLS is not a retirement league.

He told club's website:

"The standard of football, even just watching, has improved massively from when I used to watch it in the past and when I've played against an all-star team or played other teams in the past.

"The football's good, I enjoyed being on there. I definitely think the perception [of the league] is changing, I think a lot of players came over and really struggled and got a big wake-up call by it.

"I've spoken to other players about it, so I know the quality is improving. I haven't come here just to wind down, I want to contribute as much as I can, to try to win games and trophies."

Chiellini believes that the high humidity in Nashville made it difficult for them, but he was happy to win the match. He said:

"I expected the difficulties we had in the match because it is good team and also for me especially, it's my first match for almost two months, and it's too hot in Nashville!

"But I was feeling better minute by minute. I'm very happy because it was a difficult game, and it is very important for us to win"

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