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Topics: Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, La Liga, Manchester United
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid, La Liga, Manchester United
Gareth Bale played with some of the all-time greats during his trophy-laden career but one player in particular stands out amongst the rest.
The former Wales international, who lifted three La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues during his spell with Real Madrid, shared the Bernabeu dressing room with five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, of course, will go down as one of the greatest of all time having scored 451 times in 438 competitive appearances for Los Blancos, averaging over a goal a game.
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Bale also played alongside Luka Modric and Harry Kane when he was tearing up the Premier League with Spurs but it's a fellow countryman who he regards as his greatest ever teammate.
Speaking in 2016, he named former Manchester United and Wales winger Ryan Giggs as the greatest.
"For me, the greatest player is Ryan Giggs," Bale told Foot Locker. "He was my hero growing up and is a legend in world football. It also helps he's a fellow Welshman."
The pair played three international games together in 2007, which was seen as a transitional period for the Welsh national team.
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Giggs went onto manage Bale during his short stint as Wales manager.
Back in 2018 – after Bale scored for Real Madrid in their Champions League final win over Liverpool – he also named Bale as the greatest Welsh player he's ever seen.
"He's the greatest [Welsh player] I've seen," said Giggs. "I didn't see John Charles play and many others around that time."
"Great players turn up and make the difference and he's done it twice now in Champions League finals. To win four, to go to Real Madrid and be so successful, yeah he's got to be [the greatest]."
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On the subject of Bale, a former doctor at Real Madrid said he was the best athlete he'd ever seen over Cristiano Ronaldo.
Gareth Bale is a natural athlete who can excel in practically any sport," Jesus Olmo told Spanish outlet Ideal. "He has incredible athletic skills, and I would also say technical skills. He is the one who impressed me most in all aspects."