Gareth Bale has downplayed comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo, commenting that he and Lionel Messi ‘have set the bar where everyone wants to be’.
The Tottenham Hotspur man has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid amid growing comparisons with Ronaldo, with some analysts suggesting that the 23-year-old can one day reach the Portuguese’ level.
“I know there are people saying I can develop in the same way Ronaldo did but he and Lionel Messi have set the bar where everyone wants to be,” PFA Player and Young Player of the Year Bale commented to The Mirror this week.
“If people are thinking I can emulate whoever, then that’s their opinion. All I can do is try to keep playing my best football and let my football do my talking.”
Bale discussed his free-kick technique that in particular has garnished comparisons with Ronaldo.
“It’s hard to explain what I do. You use everything – the valve on the ball, pressing it down into the floor, everything. Then you just keep practising the technique and I’ve been practising it for a while now.
“I think the first one to do it was Juninho at Lyon. Obviously Ronaldo then took it to the next level. It’s something that works. But do I know what the ball is going to do? No – I haven’t a clue!
“I’m not too sure if I scare or intimidate teams. I know if I strike it well, it’s got a good chance of troubling the goalkeeper and going in, so, as I said, it’s a good weapon to have.
“For me it’s been a case of constant hard work. It’s not just the last couple of years. It’s also from the years before.
“I feel I’ve grown up as a person, as a player. It’s just about your motivation in the game. Thankfully I’ve got that and hopefully there is more to come.”
