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What's the story?
Former Real Madrid and Wales boss John Toshack has urged forward Gareth Bale to 'try and copy' what former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo does in order to continue being one of the best players of all time.
In case you didn't know...
Real Madrid's all-time top scorer Ronaldo left the Bernabeu in a €112 million transfer to join Serie A giants Juventus last summer, leaving behind a team that is vying for an efficient finisher in front of goal.
Los Blancos have struggled since then, having inherited a new manager in Julen Lopetegui and then sacking him after a humiliating defeat to Barcelona in a Clasico. Santiago Solari has since been given charge of the side, but the team is yet to show any dramatic improvement.
Ronaldo's departure was initially believed to clear the path for Bale to step up into the Portuguese's role. However, that has not happened so far, with the Welshman having netted a comparatively meagre 10 goals in 23 appearances for the club.
The heart of the matter
Former Wales boss Toshack, however, believes that Bale can prove himself to be more efficient if he follows Ronaldo's lead. Speaking to AS, he said, "Cristiano plays as a winger, scores and sets up goals for the others."
"There's no doubt that Gareth is one of the best players of all time. If he wants to continue there, he should try and copy what Cristiano does. If you look at what he's achieved, it makes you wonder what he would have done if he hadn't been so unlucky with injuries."
He continued, "So, obviously, with the experience he has, maybe he can drop off a little and play short balls, drop deeper and read the game more."
The former Blancos manager hopes the Welsh star will do more for the side despite his injury problems.
"I hope that he goes on to do more than he's done so far, because when you come back from an injury, you know that you have to start all over again. As for getting back to full fitness, he's got to do that all over again and it's something he's had to do two or three times every season which sets him back."
"It's been very difficult for him and, as I say, he deserves credit for the way he's persevered."
"What we could never have really imagined were the injury problems he's had. I mean he's lost almost as many games as he's played and clearly that's hampered his progress a little bit."
What's next?
Third-placed Real Madrid will next face Girona in the first leg of Copa del Rey quarter final on Thursday.
