Welshman Gareth Bale is set to inspire Real Madrid to their first La Liga win in eight years in the absence of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo who is out injured.
Bale only lost his title of ‘most expensive player’ in the world this summer when Manchester United splashed the cash to resign the 23-year old Frenchman. The Wales international has been proving himself worthy of the tag of the successor of three-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 27-year old led Wales to European glory when they broke their record of over 58 years at the Euro 2016 in France when they reached the semi finals. Sportsmail reported that the Santiago Bernabeu management is set to offer the player a ‘contract for life,’ in lieu of the plans they had for him. It shows the management wants him to be the next big thing after the 31-year old Ronaldo retires.
Bale started his brilliant run at Tottenham before moving to Madrid in 2013, with reports that a clause in his contract means he would be in the shadow of Ronaldo – the face of the club since 2009. Happenings point that Bale would be the next face of the club. He has started advancing in that direction, leaving Ronaldo to continue with just the goalscoring. For the first time since joining Madrid, Bale’s dribble success rate 47.2% was higher than Ronaldo’s 46.4%. When Ronaldo is absent, his goal average is one per game, but with the Portuguese player in action, the figures halves.
Former coach Rafa Benitez wanted to build his team around him, and current manager Zinedine Zidane is giving him more freedom. Ronaldo’s influence has been limiting his potential but the Welshman is gradually finding his level in the team. Ronaldo would not stop anytime soon as he is in pole position to receive the Ballon d’Or this year, but Bale would get his chance.