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#8 Gareth Bale
Country: Wales
Current Club: Real Madrid
Position: Right Winger
Strengths: Pace, great ball striking ability from long distances and knuckleball freekicks.
“He’s the greatest. I didn’t see John Charles play and many others around that time, but Gareth is the greatest I’ve seen." - Ryan Giggs Welsh football coach on Bale.
Ryan Giggs was 100% true, and Bale has such a talent that his presence can improve any team in the world. It is not an exaggeration to say that Greth Bale might have won a Ballon d'Or if he was not plagued by injuries.
He was lightning quick and his goal against Barcelona during the 2014 Copa del Rey final was a perfect example for that. He left Marc Bartra in his wake before netting a sensational goal that sealed the game for Real Madrid.
Bale is a big match player, he raises his game to the highest level and contributes to the team more when it needs the most. One month on from that solo goal in the Copa del Rey final, Bale proved his worth by scoring a goal in the 2013/14 UCL final to put Real Madrid ahead of Atletico Madrid for their 'La Decima'.
He continued his big match performances during the recent Champions League, entered as a substitute in the second half and blew away Liverpool with a sensational overhead goal and scored his second that night with a swirling long-range shot, although half of its credit goes to Loris Karius. This performance helped Real to win three successive Champions League titles, a feat any team could only dream about.
Although Bale is well known for his blistering runs down the pitch, he can also control the ball precisely on that tremendously speedy run, he has a powerful shot and can unleash that far from the goal. His deadly freekicks are nightmares to any goalkeeper, he can head the ball and he is as strong as a bull, he's also a perfect crosser, you name it he has every skill in his skill box and it is a delight to watch when he is in full flow.
With Ronaldo's departure from Real Madrid, Bale is the man to fill the void left by the Portuguese superstar, and this guy has all the attributes to do that if he can stay fit and injury free throughout the season.
