Gareth Bale v Cristiano Ronaldo | Proof he's too good for Spurs?

Gareth Bale says he models his game on Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who is five years older and is regarded by many as the world's finest player.

Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas, meanwhile, has also suggested that 23 year-old Bale, who is enjoying the finest form of his career, is capable of emulating Ronaldo's success. "You can see similarities in each of the players," he argues.

In our video, we've taken a look at how the two players' Premier League stats compare when they were the same age, so that's the last five seasons for Gareth Bale and from 2003/04 to 2007/08 for Cristiano Ronaldo.

[TriforceRich]

I really hate it when someone says a player is too good for a team, that is clearly headed in the right direction. How do you expect a club to become a champion one day if every player that shows signs of brilliance leaves it?

I am not even a Tottenham fan; I am a proud Liverpool supporter. I know the history of my club and I know we would have gone nowhere if every player we developed decided they were "too good" for us. Every dynasty had a beginning...

[AbrahamSpring]

Thank you sooo much! I was looking for this song for ages!!!

[PorthtowanNate]

Ronaldo is the best all-round player in the world, Gareth is slowly getting there but i don't think he will ever be as good. We are lucky to have such a player at spurs and it now looks like he will be staying longer with his new contract. Great player to build a team around. To all those saying he is a one season wonder is ridiculous he won the player of the year award in 2011 and he was great last season too

[JOfficial]

you add penalties to comparison when bale hasn't taken any, what a dumb thing to do

[WilliamGarrow]

Well people did the same with Messi and Ronaldo. Its natural you compare them to the players at the top of the game. He maybe the next big player in the future. Players like these are why we love the game.

[JamesG]

He did score 32 goals in one premier league season so that stat is correct. He couldn't keep that up the season after as he only scored 21 goals. Ronaldo had one good season which he couldn't keep up so it would be fair to judge him on his last season. Bale has scored 17 goals so far this season and will likely surpass Ronaldo's mark of 21 goals. It would be unfair to judge Bale on past seasons due to the more defensive positions he has played in the past.

[LEGIIONuk]

He's 21 but I agree with you. I would only consider Neymar to be as great as everyone makes out about him, if he can do what he does in the top 4 leagues in-till then I'll stand by you!

[Blackwizardbb]

rooney covers alot of ground off the ball helping in defence midfeild attack and scores goals his work rate is unrivaled in the premier league IMO also rooney has way better stats than bale would at his age if we were to do a comparison also rooney is a cam now not a sriker IMO

[iEditStuf]

Not so sure Ronaldo is faster, is certainly very close. However I would say with Bale you have to bear in mind he played a lot of his career as LB and only over the last 2 seasons really has he emerged as a left winger and adapted his game that way. Give it another 2 or 3 seasons and Bale could well be up for a Ballon d'Or nomination.

[AG]

Ronaldo is potentially the greatest athlete football has ever seen so of course he's going to use it to his advantage! Bale is in now way, shape or form anywhere near as good as Ronaldo.

thats why di maria and ozil assisted more of ronaldos goals in comparison to how many of messis goals were assisted by xavi and iniesta (and a lot of the time, messi brings it up past 2, 3 defenders passes the ball, gets a lay off and scores...if you ask me thats mostly messi doing work, but the other player gets credited with the assist)

[PopcornPlayerrr]

"Bale has to deal with Spurs" Lol I like the way you worded that haha. Stats may have been close but stats can be very misleading. I've seen them play week in week out in the Prem and Ronaldo at Bales age was at a superior level to what Bale is at now, in my opinion of course.

[sdss]

Because he deserves to play for an amazing team like Madrid, not a top 6 team like Spurs in the PL. (Not a Madrid fan)

[Jluyoungzone]

He did it against Inter 2 years ago. He just needs to start doing it consistently.

[WilliamTaylor]

I would put them on equal billing given that, although Ronaldo has better stats he did play at a better club. Bale also spent a few seasons at left-back.

[iEditStuf]

Could not agree more. A trophy is won by a squad, a team. Not an individual. Heskey could go sit on Barcelonas bench and rake in some trophies, would it make him better than every other play from another team, of course not.

[Shaunm]

he commented 1st out of all them people who could have, yes in my opinion its an accomplishment that should be noted. HOWEVER if you disagree theres no need to recycle a comment thats been used THOUSANDS of times "last to get laid" and then continue to insult him further.

[WilliamGarrow]

Considering Spurs have played and outplayed in the last few years, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man utd, Inter Milan and A.C.Milan I think he may be the real deal.

[JoesChannelify]

we were unlucky last season because we did actually get 4th but didnt qualify but i agree we are heading in the right direction

[hzrdswun]

and he was playing basically the same position.. so agreed