Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - September 27, 2020 Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale, Juan Foyth and Japhet Tanganga in the stands during the match Pool via REUTERS/Daniel Leal-Olivas EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro has labelled Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale as one of the “top five” footballers in the world when he is “focused”.
The world’s best
The 31-year-old made an emotional return to north London last month from Real Madrid after more than seven years away. Bale agreed to a season-long loan with Jose Mourinho’s side but arrived back in England with a knee injury, missing their first five games.
Once his signing was officially announced, the Hotspur faithful went wild with delight in the hope they will see more of what made him into the superstar he is today.
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Before his £85m move to Spain, which was a world record fee at the time, the Wales international scored 56 times and provided 58 assists from 203 appearances (per Transfermarkt).
The world stood up and took notice of Bale during his side’s memorable defeat in the Champions League against Inter Milan back in 2010, which was a night to forget for Maicon.
He went on to win two La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns alongside Casemiro, who spoke recently about the qualities that Bale through to the Galacticos’ dressing room.
“He got along very well with everyone. When he plays, if he’s focused, he’s one of the best in the world, top 5 without a doubt,” the Real Madrid defensive midfielder told Movistar Plus’ program Vamos, via Defensa Central.
“It’s a pleasure for me to have shared the dressing room with someone like him. I hope it goes well at this stage at Tottenham. I thank you for the screamers you scored in the finals. When I think of Gareth, I remember those good times.”
The man who has done it all
This is high praise and a huge claim from Casemiro, and it brings more questions Zidane’s way as to why Bale was treated so poorly in the Spanish capital.
While there may not be many answers, Spurs have benefitted from the rather bizarre situation by securing the services of a player who was so influential for them during the early 2010s.
Valued at just £22.5m due to such long spells on the sidelines, Bale now has the opportunity to replicate this at the newly-built Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and in front of fans who adore him once they are allowed back into the stadium.
Time will tell whether he will be a success in Mourinho’s squad. If he gets a fair opportunity though, you’d certainly back the Wales talisman to take it.
Spurs fans! Do you agree with Casemiro? Is Gareth Bale still one of the world’s best? Join the discussion now by commenting below…
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