What does it take to be a footballer who captains their country and wins five Champions League titles with Real Madrid as well as an MLS Cup with LAFC? Well, having the right playlist isn’t necessarily everything but, as Wales skipper Gareth Bale attests, it certainly helps. “I always listen to music on the way to the game on my AirPods and then in the dressing room on the speakers with the team,” he tells Apple Music. “The type of music I listen to really depends on my mood and what I need to do to get myself in the best frame of mind for the game, as it differs. Normally, I pick songs that I like at the time and that give you that confidence going into the game.” And it’s not just during pre-match moments that Bale reaches for music to help find his focus. “I think it’s nice to have music on in the gym to help you along and keep the energy high,” he says. “Sometimes I need music to get me going, but other times I feel like I need [it] to relax a bit—it all depends on the mood and occasion.” Here, one of Wales’ all-time greatest footballers talks us through a few key tracks from his motivational playlist. Chris Brown, “Forever” “It’s a song that I have grown up with and means a lot personally with my wife. It brings back a lot of happy memories.” Zombie Nation, “Kernkraft 400” “It’s the unofficial anthem we play before home games with Wales, so it brings that feeling of playing in front of our fans.” Eminem, “Lose Yourself” “Another classic that always gets me going before games, when I feel like I really need to get my head in game mode.” T-Pain, “Mashup” “Just an easy listen with loads of old-school songs that I listened to growing up, which brings good feelings.”