5 reasons why we love Gareth Bale

Valencia CF v Real Madrid CF - La Liga : News Photo
One of the best players of his generation

The Welsh Wizard. The one with a left foot to die for. A legend on the wing. Gareth Bale is truly a once in a lifetime footballer.

From humble beginnings at Southampton, starting off as a young, raw left-back, he developed into a truly world-class left-back at Tottenham, under the tutelage of Harry Redknapp. He took his attacking game to the next level under Andre Villas-Boas before securing a then world-record move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2013.

Bale has given fans so much to cheer about and while he may be slightly injury-prone, there is no doubt that he is a vital part of Madrid’s setup and will continue to be so for many more years.

Also read: 5 reasons why we love Antoine Griezmann

While he is already playing for one of the biggest (if not the biggest) clubs in the world, he is loved by fans all over for a variety of reasons. We delve into the Welshman’s journey as a footballer and figure out five reasons why fans absolutely love the pacy winger:


#1 Iconic hat-trick at an iconic stadium

Tottenham Hotspur FC v Internazionale - UEFA Europa League Round of 16 : News Photo
A young Bale ripped apart the Inter defence

When Bale was a raw developing left-back at Southampton, he was one of the fastest teenagers in the country. His coaches recognised this attribute and helped him harness it as a defender. During his days as a marauding left-back at Spurs, he took the world by storm at the age of just 21 by scoring a second-half hat-trick against Inter Milan, who then possessed two of the best right-backs in Maicon and the experienced Javier Zanetti on the side.

What transpired was a masterclass in attacking play from the then 21-year old Bale, who sprinted almost the entire length of the pitch to score two goals in almost identical fashion. He completed his hat-trick in the 90th minute with another identical finish to the bottom corner and reduced a 4-0 deficit to get three vital away goals for his side.

In the fixture at White Hart Lane, Bale, spurred on from the reverse fixture, produced another blistering performance, laying off two goals as Spurs won 3-1. That was the day he announced himself to the world with his attacking attributes, which Redknapp, and later Villas-Boas, helped develop.

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#2 Lifted the underdogs to the semi-finals

Wales v Serbia - 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying - Group D - Cardiff City Stadium : News Photo
Bale led his side to the semi-finals of Euro 2016

Many Welsh football fans were ecstatic that a Gareth Bale-inspired Wales had qualified for the Euros after 57 years. But Bale wasn’t interested in just making up the numbers. Wales topped their group following his blistering performances in the group stages. He also helmed the Welsh charge as they made it all the way to the semi-finals of the tournament, scoring three goals and assisting one.

He was also responsible for whipping in a wicked cross that Gareth McAuley turned into his own net in the quarter-finals. Though they lost in the semi-finals against Portugal, Bale was voted as one of the players in the team of the tournament and was hugely responsible for Wales making it so far despite the odds.

#3 Developed himself for the bigger challenge

Soccer - La Liga - Real Madrid vs. Getafe : News Photo
The Welshman has developed himself into a physical specimen

When Gareth Bale made his big money, world-record move to Real Madrid, there were doubters and naysayers who said he wouldn’t be ready for the big challenge. Even though he had won two PFA Young Player of the Year awards and the PFA Player of the Year award at Spurs, people felt he would not fit into a system where Cristiano Ronaldo was always going to be top dog.

During his final season at Tottenham, he scored 26 goals in all competitions which secured his move to the Bernabeu.

Following his move to Spain, Bale immediately acclimatised himself to the conditions and built himself to remain fit over a longer season. He ended the 2013-14 season with 22 goals and 16 assists. He also put in fantastic performances in the Copa del Rey final, where he scored a brilliant individual goal that won Madrid the game in the absence of Ronaldo, and the Champions League final – scoring the goal to give Madrid the lead in extra time.

Two seasons later, in the Champions League final, he provided the assist from which Sergio Ramos scored and ended the campaign with 19 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.

#4 His sprinting and heading ability

Real Madrid CF v Legia Warszawa - UEFA Champions League : News Photo
Bale is one of the best headers of the ball in the modern game

Bale is one of the fastest players on the planet today. Long strides are his trademark and he has used those to brilliant effect when counter-attacking for Madrid. One of his most famous goals that will go down in Real Madrid folklore is the one he scored against Barcelona in the 2013-14 Copa del Rey final, where he sprinted the entire length of the pitch, leaving a hapless Marc Bartra in his wake, before nutmegging Pinto to give his side the lead and eventually the win.

Following his move to the Spanish capital, he also worked on his finishing and attacking attributes, making him a truly lethal forward. Before moving to Madrid, he was already considered one of the best crossers in world football.

After moving to Spain though, he worked on his heading ability and scored some brilliant headers – in the Champions League final versus Atletico in 2014 and against Valencia at the fag end of the 2015-16 season, that sparked a Real Madrid comeback.

This has made Bale one of the most in-demand and exciting attacking players in the game today.

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#5 His down to earth demeanour

Wales Training Session and Press Conference : News Photo
Bale loves spending time with his fans

Despite being one of the most famous players on the planet, raking in a huge salary, Bale remains one of the most down to earth characters in the game. Whenever he gets time off, he spends it with his young family back in his hometown, Cardiff. Bale has two young daughters with his childhood girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones.

Chris Coleman, his Wales coach also recently described him as down to earth and a great example for youngsters to look up to.

The 27-year-old is a wonderful role model for youngsters and is involved in various charitable organisations. He generally shies away from making controversial statements and focusses solely on his game. All this has endeared himself to fans all over, making him one of the greatest footballers of his generation.

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Edited by Staff Editor