Was Gareth Bale World Class?

Originally Posted by Mr_Ed

I’d argue about his goal bejng the best one ever. Did you mean final goal? I’d argue Zidane’s was technically better against Leverkusen. Ronaldo’s semi final goal was better too… oh and Messi’s semi final goal against Madrid.

Also the level of international football has changed so Wales were going to qualify one day given the number of smaller countries.

But other than that you might be into something.

Wales would never have qualified without Bale trust me. His goals stopped Liverpool winning another CL ffs. He should have a statue outside OT

Originally Posted by NedKelly

https://youtu.be/GgthEyXx3Ts

If mata had bale's explosive pace and athleticism he'd probably be world-class too, but he didn't.

Originally Posted by NedKelly

You’re biased though.

You’re right I am biased but all those things still happened

Not quite imo.

Always find it mad that during his second spell back at Spurs, which tbh I generally remembered as not really working out very well, he still scored 16 goals despite only starting 19 games.

Originally Posted by Vedder

You’re right I am biased but all those things still happened

So you’re saying Bale was better than R9 and Zidane? Just to clarify.

Best player in the world for a brief time when Ronaldo and Messi were both in their prime.

Nah. Flash Harry.

World class golfer/loafer

Originally Posted by Medlock

Would seem something of a pointless exercise in the absence of criteria about what is or isn't meant by 'world class'

Thisssss! £#%&!ing hell guys!

Although, any criteria i could think of would have Bale as world class. He was a monster.

Originally Posted by atticusgrinch

Thisssss! £#%&!ing hell guys!

Although, any criteria i could think of would have Bale as world class. He was a monster.

Human looking

Clearly world class.

Arguably in the top 10 greatest ever British players.

Only saw him play once, away at Sunderland with Spurs. Spurs were awful that day, and that was with Modric who everyone nowadays recognises as world class and rightly so, but Bale was the best player on the pitch out of either team. Not a very high bar admittedly, Sunderland's star performers on the day were Steed Malbranque and Darren Bent, but I was quietly impressed with Bale.

Of course it went to shit a bit at Madrid, but that's happened with other players as well. Grateful for the double in the 2018 final too

Yes. Just not for very long.

World class surely is just a barometer to say one of the best in the world at your time in your position. Obviously he was that. He more than held his own in an incredible Madrid side won numerous trophies scored great goals and took £#%&! Wales to semi finals ffs.

World Class pace, strength and left peg, so yes.

Wonder what he’d have been like had he come here and not basically got all the trophies and money he wanted almost straight away? Deffo get the impression that winning the CL every season almost by accident dulled his hunger a little going into the latter stages of his career.

A level below Messi and Ronaldo, same level as Neymar, Lewandowski etc.? Probably.

Originally Posted by dunk

World Class pace, strength and left peg, so yes.

Wonder what he’d have been like had he come here and not basically got all the trophies and money he wanted almost straight away? Deffo get the impression that winning the CL every season almost by accident dulled his hunger a little going into the latter stages of his career.

A level below Messi and Ronaldo, same level as Neymar, Lewandowski etc.? Probably.

Neymar isn’t world class, so I agree.

Ned, stop please.....

Even the poll has you in the mud, get your golf clubs....

Originally Posted by Bunker Buster

Ned, stop please.....

Even the poll has you in the mud, get your golf clubs....

“Most people rejected His message.

They hated Jesus for he told them the truth.”

P.S would love to go golfing. Me, you, a few cold beers…. Bliss

Originally Posted by guerreiro

Human looking

Yes. Humanoid. Same as chimps.

There's humanity in many great apes and Gareth Bale.

Definitely, just his attitude wasn't bob on.

Makes you wonder how many of the top end players are stitched up by their agents and pushed towards the money rather than purely footballing achievement.