Gareth Bale left Croatia clutching a Real Madrid shirt, with the words that he is now on a par with Cristiano Ronaldo ringing in his ears.
Plaudits were forthcoming from former colleagues and the Croatia manager as the Spurs winger lived up to his star billing with Wales in Osijek.
Bale was tightly shackled with two Croats in close attendance every time he received possession but he still managed to put in another wonderful show, despite Croatia running out worthy 2-0 winners.
After the final whistle, one-time team-mate Luka Modric presented him with a Madrid shirt and an open invitation to join him in the Spanish capital.
He said: ‘It was nice to see Gareth and play against him. He’s a top, top player. I think Harry Redknapp is right - it would be amazing for him to come and play with us.
‘I think he can do it. He’s good enough to play at this level. And I hope he will come. It could make him a better player. And just think what it would be like to have Bale on one wing and Ronaldo on the other. For me, they are the best two wingers in the world.’
Croatia coach Igor Stimac played for Derby County and West Ham during a six-year spell in the Premier League.
The former centre-half played against Bale’s countryman Ryan Giggs at his peak — and he thinks that Bale has the edge over the Manchester United legend.
‘At the moment, Bale is one of the top five players in the world. A fantastic, wonderful player.
‘When I played in England, I played against Ryan Giggs and of course he was a good player too, world class.
‘But I think Bale is better than Giggs. He has all of Giggs’s skills but he is stronger and he’s much more difficult for a team to deal with because of that.’
Naturally, Bale tried to play down his influence and claimed Wales will improve after being quizzed on how he felt being a marked man.
‘It’s becoming normal now,’ he said, ‘but I’m not doing to stop doing what I do. We defend and attack as a team. Sometimes, I’m just up there on my own. If players are there to be taken on, then I’m going to take them on.’
by:7msport
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