Style of Play
As Bale develops into one of the most dangerous left-wingers in the world, his style of play has won admiration from managers, current and past players such as Luis Figo, José Mourinho, Igor Štimac, Dani Alves and Phil Neville.
Bale has been described as a footballer with "tremendous speed, great crossing ability, a great left foot and exceptional physical qualities". Former Liverpool player and BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson said "What makes Gareth Bale so special? Simple. He is one of the quickest players I've ever seen, but he has another gear and the ability to find that extra pace within the next stride. He has the ability to perform and use his technique at great pace."
On 2 November 2010, after a Champions League group stage match against Internazionale, teammate Rafael van der Vaart said, "Everyone is scared of him . Maicon is one of the best defenders in the world, and he's killed him."
In a report of the same match, Spanish newspaper El Mundo said:
Bale combines the height and build of an 800-metre runner like Steve Ovett with the acceleration and directness of a rugby winger like Bryan Habana. And, when he gets to the byline, he delivers curling crosses like a Brazilian. Big words? Yes, but that's what Bale is like – easily the greatest sensation in the opening month and a half of the Champions League. Ask Maicon what he thinks after the two exhibitions Bale turned in against Inter. Yesterday he left Maicon for dead and then a wily old fox like Lúcio was left in his wake like someone trying to follow the vapour trail of an aeroplane. Three goals and two assists — against the European champions. His performances have been stunning.
Following Bale's two goals against Norwich City on 27 December 2011, manager Harry Redknapp said:
If we sell him, we've had it haven't we? It would only be a Barcelona, a Man City or a Real Madrid who would be able to pay for him. He's an amazing player. He's got everything, there's not a weakness in his make-up. He can head the ball, he's as strong as an ox, he can run, dribble and shoot. Most important of all, he's a smashing lad.
Speaking at an interview in 2012, Manchester City fullback Micah Richards revealed that Gareth Bale was one of his toughest opponents he had ever faced, saying that:
"He made me feel an inch tall. Took me to pieces. He just doesn’t stop running. It's ridiculous."
Redknapp made even more positive comments regarding Bale in October 2012, stating that he's in the same class as both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He said:
"He's an amazing, amazing talent and he's after the Ronaldos and Messis of this world and he's getting better and better. He's almost unplayable when he's on his game. He is a genuine world-class player. There's nobody he couldn't play for. He'd improve any team."
Bale has been accused of diving by sections of the British media. However, this has been denied by Bale, Redknapp and current Wales coach Chris Coleman. On 29 December 2012, Bale picked up his third yellow card for simulation for the 2012–13 season. It was his fifth for simulation since the start of the the 2011–12 season, and no other Premier League player had more than two cautions for simulation in that time.
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