The 10 best Left backs in the world (Part 4) – Gareth Bale
Gareth Frank Bale is a Welsh footballer currently playing for the Barclays Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspurs. Born on 16th July, 1989, Gareth Bale started playing football at a very young age and many tipped the youngster
for stardom in his early days.
This young Welsh within no time proved to his peers that he was a remarkable talent. Since his early childhood days, Bale's poise on the pitch and his delicious left foot were remarkable. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Bale was first spotted as a 9-year-old
prodigy by a Southampton scout while a young Bale was playing 5-a-side football with his first club, Cardiff Civil Service Football club.
Like a true sports person, Bale didn’t just restrict himself to football, the youngster also played rugby, hockey and was also a long distance runner with the Whitchurch High School. Bale’s football skills were so majestic, compared to other players in his
age bracket, that it forced the school administration to write special rules for Gareth Bale. Under the new rules, Bale was to always play one touch as he was restricted from using his stronger left foot. Bale trained at Southampton’s academy situated in Bath
during his school tenure. Upon his graduation from high school, Bale was given an award for outstanding services for the school’s sports department.
Bale’s fledging career with Southampton continued as the player made his debut at the age of 16 years and 275 days. This made Bale the second youngest player to have ever played for the club following Theo Walcott. While his overall performances were always
sublime, Bale was starting to show tremendous skill in dead ball situations. In just his second season and playing in a wing back position, Bale scored an impressive 5 goals.
Bale’s brilliance at such a young age meant the sensation made his international debut at just 16 years and 315 days of age. Bale had now become the youngest player ever to have made his debut for the Dragons. The never ending list of achievements won this
youngster the BBC Wales Young Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2006 along with the Football League Young Player of the Year award in early 2007.
By this time, Bale had become too big a star for a modest Southampton outfit and Tottenham hotspurs duly announced his signing on 25th May, 2007. Spurs paid an initial fee of 5 million pounds that is set to go up to 10 million pounds following
Bale’s impressive outings for the London based outfit.
Bale found it hard settling down in his new surroundings as the youngster was plagued with injuries during his initial years with Tottenham. Bale’s mental strength and resilient personality meant the youngster fought admirably and the player has now become
the first pick on Harry Redknapp’s team sheet. Owing to his defensive nous and fluency in attack, the player has become a complete left sided player. Bale can be world class as a defender while simultaneously terrorizing the opposition when he has the ball
on his feet. His marauding silky smooth runs on the wing and his sublime free kicks have earned him rave comparisons with Manchester United wing wizard Ryan Giggs.
At just 21 years of age, Gareth Bale has racked up 25 international caps and looks set to have a world class career. Understandably, rumours of a potential transfer to various European heavyweights have gained strength in recent times. AC Milan, Real Madrid
and Manchester United have all voiced their admiration for the starlet’s talents. Gareth Bale is a tremendous player bordering on world class success and it won’t be long before the Welsh man is tagged as the best left back in the world. Whether he stays
with the Spurs or moves on can be debated, however one thing is for sure, Bale will continue to dazzle football fanatics for years to come.
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