Gareth Bale called the 'greatest-ever' athlete ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo

Gareth Bale has been rated a better athlete than former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

The duo played together at the Santiago Bernabeu for five years between 2013 and 2018, winning four Champions League titles and La Liga in 2017.

Ronaldo is still in fantastic shape at 38, maintaining his physique through a strict diet and gym plan.

Former Real doctor Jesus Olmo believes he can't hold a candle to Bale, though.

Olmo monitored both men's performance while in Spain before concluding Bale is unlike any other athlete.

He explained to Ideal in 2020: "Perhaps the best athlete I've ever seen is Bale. Gareth Bale is a natural athlete who can excel in practically any sport.

"He has incredible athletic skills, and I would also say technical skills. He is the one who impressed me most in all aspects."

The difference between both is their respective injury records.

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Ronaldo's picked up a few hip issues during his second spell with Manchester United but has been available for new club Al Nassr.

Meanwhile, Bale struggled with several niggling injuries throughout his career. The Wales international retired earlier this year after successful spells with Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Madrid and LAFC.

He penned in his retirement letter: "After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.

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“I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life.

"The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.”