Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer stunned after hearing who Gareth Bale said was his toughest-ever opponent

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer were left gobsmacked after finding out who Gareth Bale named as his toughest-ever opponent.

Welshman Bale is one of the best wingers of his generation, having played for the likes of Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur before joining Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid in 2013.

During his time in the Spanish capital, Bale managed to score 106 goals in 258 appearances across all competitions.

The Welshman won five Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles among other accolades.

Playing for one of the biggest clubs in world football, Bale has played against some of the finest players in modern history.

However, Lineker and Shearer were left stunned when they found out Bale's toughest-ever opponent was ex-England and Manchester City star Micah Richards.

During an episode of BBC's MOTD Top 10, Richards asked: "Who is the hardest he's (Bale) ever played against?"

As Richards began to smirk, Shearer said: "No way," and Lineker added: "Get off!"

Shearer then said: "He must've been ****** when he said that!"

At this point, Richards burst into laughter before shouting: "Get the evidence!"

Lineker then questioned: "Is that a quote from Gareth Bale?"

In response, Richards explained: "Quote! There's a quote, there's many quotes from Gareth Bale.

"He actually doubled down quite recently, actually. Yes, the hardest player he's ever played against. Most difficult opponent. Did you not know this? Is this news to you? Have you been living under a rock?"

Back in 2023, during an appearance on Sky's A League Of Their Own, Bale did admit that Richards was in fact his toughest opponent.

Richards himself named the Welshman as his most difficult opponent too, telling Optus Sport: "He [Bale] kept going and going and going and going. Through the first 20 minutes it was sort of even stevens, but as the game goes over 60 or 70 minutes, I’m starting to tire and he is still able to repeat the same numbers he’s doing in the first 20 minutes of the game. So I’m like, how is this possible? He was a freak of nature. He was fast, he was skilful and so fit that he would run up and down and before the end of it you’re just too tired to mark him.

"Playing up against Bale for sure he was the hardest opponent I’ve ever faced, and if it wasn’t for Joe Hart, I think it was first game of the season against Spurs, it would have been 5-0. Bale ripped me to shreds. He’s the only person I’ve come off the pitch and thought I never want to face him ever again.”