Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid may be the two best players in the world, but France legend Zinedine Zidane says hehas been most impressed this season by Tottenham winger Gareth Bale. Zidane, who has been tipped to join Real’s coaching staff next season, saw the Welsh international play forSpurs against Lyon in the Europa League in February, and was duly impressed.
“This year the player who’s impressed me most is not actually playing in the [UEFA] Champions League,” theformer Real Madrid and Juventus player said. “He’s playing in the other cup [Europa League], and that’s Bale. He’s unique. He makes things look easy, his pace is frightening, his acceleration isunbelievable because of his ability to go through the gears in very little space. Plus, he’s very good technically which is also important. We mustn’t forget that he plays football verywell!”
Bale, 23, has been widely linked with a move this summer to either Real or Barcelona. “He’s perhaps not quite at the level of [Messi and Ronaldo], but he’s different,” Zidaneadded. “So personally I don’t think he’s far off.”