Rio Ferdinand isn’t ready to hop on the Gareth Bale hype train just yet. The Manchester United defender tweeted that anyone who compares Bale to Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, “really don’t know football”. Ferdinand said the Spurs player will need to be putting in performances at the highest level on a regular basis over several years to be considered in the same class as the two La Liga stars.
Bale has twenty goals for Spurs this season, many of them incredible long range strikes, and rumours continue to circulate that he could be making a move to Real Madrid in the summer.
Bale is twenty three years old and in the finest form of his life and this has led some to suggest he might belong in the same, highgly exclusive, bracket as Messi and Ronaldo.
By the age of twenty three Lionel Messi had won two Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, an Olympic gold medal, one Ballon d’Or, was top scorer in the Champions League twice and had been selected the FIFA XI of the year four years running, in addition to winning La Liga player of the year, twice.
People mentioning Bale in the same breath as @cristiano + Messi really don't know football! Bale been 1 of best 2 in PL this year but....
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 27, 2013
...He is not on CR7 + Messi's level yet...he carries on doing what he is doing for 2/3yrs then there can be a debate. Bale showed me a clean
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 27, 2013
..pair of heals once this year so I'm in good position to judge! CR7 + Messi have been on another planet for 4-5yrs #consistent #KeepItClean
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) February 27, 2013
