Gareth Bale‘s performances this season have earned him the admiration of one of soccer’s greatest-ever players.
Zinedine Zidane says Tottenham Hotspur star has impressed him more than any other player (not named Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi). The French legend thinks Bale’s mix of physical and technical gifts make him a one-of-a-kind player, Sky Sports reports.
“This year the player who’s impressed me most is not actually playing in the [UEFA] Champions League,” Zidane said. “He’s playing in ‘the other cup’ and that’s Bale.
“He’s unique. He makes things look easy, his pace is frightening, his acceleration is unbelievable because of his ability to go through the gears in very little space. Plus, he’s very good technically which is also important. We mustn’t forget that he plays football very well!”
“And he’s really impressed me. I’ve seen him two or three times live, including recently at Lyon, which wasn’t necessarily his best game, but where every time he got the ball he can surprise you.”
Zidane was a world and European champion at club and international level during his playing career. The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner heaped praise on Bale, but stopped short of putting him in the same class as Ronaldo and Messi.
“He’s perhaps not quite at the level of the other two, but he’s different,” Zidane added. “So personally I don’t think he’s far off.”
Bale’s torrid form and free-scoring ways have made him a leading contender to capture England’s major player of the year awards. His 17 goals and seven assists have given third-place Tottenham a good chance of securing place in next season’s Champions League. Qualification would be lucrative for Tottenham and help it fend major European clubs which are interested in signing Bale this summer.
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