“ Gareth Bale Most Underrated “
Thu Apr 16, 2020 11:38 am
Gareth Bale named the most underappreciated player of the last 20 years as his record compared to Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo
Thursday 16th April 2020
Wales has enjoyed its share of success in the last two decades, but one player has not garnered the praise he deserves, according to one pundit
Gareth Bale is the most underappreciated footballer in the world over the last 20 years, according to pundit Robbie Savage.
The Wales flyer has enjoyed a glittering career for both club and country, but his achievements in recent years are, somewhat bizarrely, overlooked by many on the continent.
Bale's record at Real Madrid, where he sealed a then-world-record £85million transfer in 2013, stacks up against the very best in the history of the club, however his time there has been blighted by an insidious lack of adulation from supporters.
That concept seems alien to those in Wales, who adore the supremely-gifted winger and appreciate the countless magic moments he has produced for more than a decade.
And Savage insists his compatriot Bale should be bracketed among the pantheon of modern footballing greats for his achievements in the Spanish capital.
"I'm going to say it's Gareth Bale at Real Madrid," Savage said in a Twitter Q&A when asked who has been the most undervalued footballer of the last two decades.
"He's scored 105 goals in all competitions, 13 trophies, three goals in Champions League finals, including the spectacular overhead kick against Liverpool. He's also got one in a penalty shootout.
"Compare that to the great Zinedine Zidane, 49 goals, six trophies - that worldie against Bayer Leverkusen, his only goal in a Champions League final - but it was a worldie.
"Luis Figo, 56 goals, seven trophies and then the great Ronaldo, 104 goals and three trophies.
"So Gareth Bale has got more goals and more trophies than those three.
"So, for me, Gareth Bale has to be the most underappreciated player at any club, by the fans in the last 20 years."
Gareth Bale playing in the 2018 Champions League final against Liverpool in Kiev (Image: VI Images via Getty Images)
Since Bale's move to the Bernabeu in 2013, he has had a vexed relationship with its fan base.
Many believe the treatment he has received at Madrid to be nothing short of appalling, with Zidane having wanted to get rid of him in recent transfer windows.
He felt the wrath of the Spanish media back in November for dancing with the now iconic "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order." flag after Wales' stunning 2-0 triumph over Hungary and was subjected to ferocious booing in his next Los Blancos match.
On the international stage, meanwhile, the picture is a polar opposite. He is loved unconditionally by Wales fans.
He helped to steer his country to the semi-final of Euro 2016 and was crucial in Wales' qualification for this year's competition, which is now due to be played next summer.
So while he may not be loved as much as he should be in Spain, perhaps, there is no doubting his place in Welsh football's hall of fame is firmly cemented.
Thursday 16th April 2020
Wales has enjoyed its share of success in the last two decades, but one player has not garnered the praise he deserves, according to one pundit
Gareth Bale is the most underappreciated footballer in the world over the last 20 years, according to pundit Robbie Savage.
The Wales flyer has enjoyed a glittering career for both club and country, but his achievements in recent years are, somewhat bizarrely, overlooked by many on the continent.
Bale's record at Real Madrid, where he sealed a then-world-record £85million transfer in 2013, stacks up against the very best in the history of the club, however his time there has been blighted by an insidious lack of adulation from supporters.
That concept seems alien to those in Wales, who adore the supremely-gifted winger and appreciate the countless magic moments he has produced for more than a decade.
And Savage insists his compatriot Bale should be bracketed among the pantheon of modern footballing greats for his achievements in the Spanish capital.
"I'm going to say it's Gareth Bale at Real Madrid," Savage said in a Twitter Q&A when asked who has been the most undervalued footballer of the last two decades.
"He's scored 105 goals in all competitions, 13 trophies, three goals in Champions League finals, including the spectacular overhead kick against Liverpool. He's also got one in a penalty shootout.
"Compare that to the great Zinedine Zidane, 49 goals, six trophies - that worldie against Bayer Leverkusen, his only goal in a Champions League final - but it was a worldie.
"Luis Figo, 56 goals, seven trophies and then the great Ronaldo, 104 goals and three trophies.
"So Gareth Bale has got more goals and more trophies than those three.
"So, for me, Gareth Bale has to be the most underappreciated player at any club, by the fans in the last 20 years."
Gareth Bale playing in the 2018 Champions League final against Liverpool in Kiev (Image: VI Images via Getty Images)
Since Bale's move to the Bernabeu in 2013, he has had a vexed relationship with its fan base.
Many believe the treatment he has received at Madrid to be nothing short of appalling, with Zidane having wanted to get rid of him in recent transfer windows.
He felt the wrath of the Spanish media back in November for dancing with the now iconic "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order." flag after Wales' stunning 2-0 triumph over Hungary and was subjected to ferocious booing in his next Los Blancos match.
On the international stage, meanwhile, the picture is a polar opposite. He is loved unconditionally by Wales fans.
He helped to steer his country to the semi-final of Euro 2016 and was crucial in Wales' qualification for this year's competition, which is now due to be played next summer.
So while he may not be loved as much as he should be in Spain, perhaps, there is no doubting his place in Welsh football's hall of fame is firmly cemented.
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Re: “ Gareth Bale Most Underrated “
Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:36 pm
He’s not wrong, he must surely be the most successful British player, in terms of club football ever?
If he was English, there would have been countless documentaries on him, and his value would probably be double what it is....
He may not have won the World Cup, unlike those of 66, but during his club career, based on trophies, he must be judged as more successful than Keegan, Best, Giggs, Lineker, Beckham, that Scottish fella who played for Dortmund, etc etc
You really can’t argue with 4 Champion League wins....
If he was English, there would have been countless documentaries on him, and his value would probably be double what it is....
He may not have won the World Cup, unlike those of 66, but during his club career, based on trophies, he must be judged as more successful than Keegan, Best, Giggs, Lineker, Beckham, that Scottish fella who played for Dortmund, etc etc
You really can’t argue with 4 Champion League wins....
Re: “ Gareth Bale Most Underrated “
Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:54 pm
londontaffia wrote:He’s not wrong, he must surely be the most successful British player, in terms of club football ever?
If he was English, there would have been countless documentaries on him, and his value would probably be double what it is....
He may not have won the World Cup, unlike those of 66, but during his club career, based on trophies, he must be judged as more successful than Keegan, Best, Giggs, Lineker, Beckham, that Scottish fella who played for Dortmund, etc etc
You really can’t argue with 4 Champion League wins....
I agree mate
Another example Ryan giggs the MOST successful premier league player EVER if he had been English..............
Joe calzaghi imagine if he had been born English .........
Geriant Thomas imagine if he had been English......
The list goes on and on back to Bale yes massively under ratted imagine Bale being English and the hype he would have received
Re: “ Gareth Bale Most Underrated “
Thu Apr 16, 2020 5:15 pm
Don’t forget,in his early days at Spurs he was a jinx,they never won a game every time he was playing.
Re: “ Gareth Bale Most Underrated “
Thu Apr 16, 2020 5:20 pm
Ninianman wrote:Don’t forget,in his early days at Spurs he was a jinx,they never won a game every time he was playing.
it wasn't they couldn't win with Bale it was more couldn't win when they played him at left back...
Re: “ Gareth Bale Most Underrated “
Thu Apr 16, 2020 6:37 pm
The Lad has done well 
Re: “ Gareth Bale Most Underrated “
Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:17 pm
He’s a different bloke to Ronaldo, Best, Beckham. They like publicity and were flash, but GB is down to earth and shuns it to a degree, and fair play to him. Think he’s protecting his family.