Skip to content

European Qualifiers: Ryan Giggs says Gareth Bale could be the world's greatest player

Wales players Gareth Bale (L) and Joe Ledley celebrate a goal
Image: Ryan Giggs says Gareth Bale could be the "best ever" after impressing for Wales and Real Madrid

Ryan Giggs said Gareth Bale could become the "best ever" after showing he can live up to expectations for Wales and Real Madrid.

Wales built on their positive start to the European Qualifiers with a 2-1 victory over Cyprus at the Cardiff City Stadium with Bale sending Hal Robson Kanu clean through for the game's decisive goal.

He (Bale) could be the best ever. He can be as good as he wants to be because he's such an amazing talent. He can go all the way.
Ryan Giggs

The Real Madrid star has helped his country make their best start to a qualifying campaign since 2002, following a 2-1 win in Andorra and a 0-0 draw with Bosnia which has left them top of Group B, one point ahead of Israel.

World Class

"He is a world class player who could walk into any team and is a match-winner," Manchester United coach Giggs told WalesOnline.

Live UEFA Champions League

"He could be the best ever. He can be as good as he wants to be because he's such an amazing talent. He can go all the way.

"He's playing at a great club and he's doing it week in week out and he's doing it for Wales as well.

Bale signed for Real Madrid for a world record £85.3m fee in September 2013 and has become an instant hit at the Bernabeu.

More from Wales V Cyprus

Pressure

Giggs praised Bale’s application and says he has taken the pressure of playing at the highest level in his stride.

"He has to deliver at Real Madrid where the expectation is huge and the pressure is on and it's showing in his performances for Wales he can still deliver.

"It's been a massive learning curve for him over the last season but he's lived up to every expectation and more."

Watch Bale in action for Real Madrid against Liverpool in the Champions League (22 October) and Barcelona in El Clasico (25 October), live on Sky Sports 5 HD.

Around Sky