From clueless left back (what was that stat at the beginning of his career at Spurs?) to world class player who carried Wales to qualify for tournaments that they wouldn't otherwiese have done so and probably won't do so in the foreseeable future especially with Aaron Ramsey's international career nearing a conclusion too - 189 caps and 61 goals between them whereas the whole of the rest of Wales WC squad have managed just 32 in total
Shame injuries cost him a bit, could have been even better but has still had a great career.
5 Champions Leagues, scoring 3 goals in finals .....
Exactly. His best days are a few years ago and he didn't appear in the last CL final, but he played in 4 of them, scored 3 goals plus converted a shootout penalty. That is great.
From the outside Bale seemed to have lost interest in football a few years ago. Amazing player on his day but if I was a fan of the clubs he'd played for in recent years I'd be a bit miffed by how much he'd been paid to do so little. Can see him trying to go pro at golf
he has retired from all football with immediate effect. What a career he has had.
Indeed. One of the best ever British players .... in terms of talent plus achievements then probably the best.
Lol no he's not, how many trophies did he win and actually have a major contribution to winning them? He's not on the level of many players England have had over the years, and certainly not better than people like Dalgleish, George Best and others over the years.
If he was English he'd have been pushing 100 caps and 30-40 goals which would've put him among the very best to play for us. Best ever is a bit far, but among the best of his generation no question.
In terms of moments that won trophies, I would argue quite a few in his time at Real Madrid. Distinct memorable moments in Copa del Rey and the Champions League finals especially.
From the outside Bale seemed to have lost interest in football a few years ago. Amazing player on his day but if I was a fan of the clubs he'd played for in recent years I'd be a bit miffed by how much he'd been paid to do so little. Can see him trying to go pro at golf
I might be completely making this up but didn't Bowyer try pro golf?
he has retired from all football with immediate effect. What a career he has had.
Indeed. One of the best ever British players .... in terms of talent plus achievements then probably the best.
Lol no he's not, how many trophies did he win and actually have a major contribution to winning them? He's not on the level of many players England have had over the years, and certainly not better than people like Dalgleish, George Best and others over the years.
If he was English he'd have been pushing 100 caps and 30-40 goals which would've put him among the very best to play for us. Best ever is a bit far, but among the best of his generation no question.
In terms of moments that won trophies, I would argue quite a few in his time at Real Madrid. Distinct memorable moments in Copa del Rey and the Champions League finals especially.
If Messi was English Bale wouldn't have got a game. It's irrelevant anyway as he's very much Welsh. He was a great player, at times world class, but "Best British player ever"? Have a laugh.
he has retired from all football with immediate effect. What a career he has had.
Indeed. One of the best ever British players .... in terms of talent plus achievements then probably the best.
Lol no he's not, how many trophies did he win and actually have a major contribution to winning them? He's not on the level of many players England have had over the years, and certainly not better than people like Dalgleish, George Best and others over the years.
In fairness he did say 'one of' not 'the' best. There have been thousands of British footballers and i'd say Bale in his prime has a case for being in the top 20-25. That would be classed as one of the best no?
PFA player of the year twice, 7 years at Real Madrid (hard to count the last 2), 16 trophies at Madrid including 5 Champions leagues, that must have him up there somewhere. His goal against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final is iconic, his overhead kick in the CL final was incredible, i remember even Zidane not being able to believe what he'd seen.
Even when past it and he came back to Spurs he still scored 1 in 2 in the league. His last year at Spurs before joining Madrid he was absolutely ridiculous and i feel if he was English he'd be lauded a lot more.
At his peak he was definitely one of the best. Of course he could do a job for us and any lower league team but I suppose he doesn't need the money and recent years have suggested he no longer loves the game. It feels like that anyway.
Up there with Hoddle, Gazza, Modric, Klinsmann & Kane as the best I've seen in the flesh at Spurs. Will never forget the second half against Inter at the San Siro (when we were 4-0 after Gomes got sent off) and the return fixture 2 weeks later when Bale literally ended Maicon's career. Arguably at his very best under Andre Villas-Boas in his last season when he scored 22 in 33 games or something ridiculous like that when he played as an inverted winger.
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Cue a truly returning-Hasselbaink-level 12 months.
5 Champions Leagues, scoring 3 goals in finals, 3 La Ligas, 3 World Club Championships etc with Real, and a League Cup runners up medal with Spurs.
His best days are a few years ago and he didn't appear in the last CL final, but he played in 4 of them, scored 3 goals plus converted a shootout penalty. That is great.
Plenty of ways to stay fit and sharp.
When you get older, you may lose capability of youthful rapid acceleration and fitness, but you get better at other stuff.
In terms of moments that won trophies, I would argue quite a few in his time at Real Madrid. Distinct memorable moments in Copa del Rey and the Champions League finals especially.
Before the fishing lake.
He's had a fantastic career but not convinced on the above.
PFA player of the year twice, 7 years at Real Madrid (hard to count the last 2), 16 trophies at Madrid including 5 Champions leagues, that must have him up there somewhere. His goal against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final is iconic, his overhead kick in the CL final was incredible, i remember even Zidane not being able to believe what he'd seen.
Even when past it and he came back to Spurs he still scored 1 in 2 in the league. His last year at Spurs before joining Madrid he was absolutely ridiculous and i feel if he was English he'd be lauded a lot more.
Will never forget the second half against Inter at the San Siro (when we were 4-0 after Gomes got sent off) and the return fixture 2 weeks later when Bale literally ended Maicon's career.
Arguably at his very best under Andre Villas-Boas in his last season when he scored 22 in 33 games or something ridiculous like that when he played as an inverted winger.