Former Real Madrid favourite Zinedene Zidane believes that Real’s recent signing, Gareth Bale, could end up a better player than he was himself, as the Welsh winger looks to assert himself at Real Madrid.
Former France international Zidane, who is now Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant manager at Madrid believes the former Tottenham Hotspur winger can become an even bigger legend than he was during his spell at the Bernabeu.
The 41 year old attacking midfielder spent five years at the club, as he enjoyed a very successful career in the Spanish capital, starring in the 2001 Champions League Final win against fellow Spanish side Valencia, aswell as being a pivotal member of the Galactico set up, which included the likes of David Beckham, Raul, Roberto Carlos, Fernando Hierro, and Luis Figo…just to name a few.
But now Zidane believes Bale can be better than him, after Bale’s superb start in a Real Madrid shirt.
The Welsh international winger, who signed for a world record fee in the summer scored a perfect hat-trick, and provided an assist as Madrid thrashed Real Valladolid on Saturday evening, as Bale’s Madrid career goes from strength to strength aftrscoring nine goals in thirteen games, after an unfortunate injury hampered start to his Madrid career.
‘Nobody at Real Madrid was ever worried about the form of Gareth (Bale) we knew exactly what the quality of player was that we had brought,’ said Zidane.
‘The only worry I have about him now is that he goes on to be a better player for Real Madrid than I was!
‘He is the complete attacking player – he can score, he has pace, he can create, and has we have seen he is a specialist from set pieces.
‘We (Real Madrid) knew all this though – that is why we spent so much effort making sure he was a Real Madrid player this summer.
‘I think he can still get even better – and he knows my door is always open to him when he needs advice – and I look forward to being part of his development – as he has everything to become the best player in the world.’
After his impressive start to life at Madrid, Bale will want to try to emulate Zidane’s success at The Bernabeu with some more superb performance’s, such as the one he put in on Saturday evening. Zidane signed for Madrid for £60 million, from Italian giants Juvents twelve years ago, and it up the Bernabeu, winning the La Liga title and the Champions League on his way to netting 37 times over 155 appearances.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
