Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand recently claimed that Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale is above legendary Ronaldinho, purely in the Champions League. However, he admitted there is a difference in the levels of both players in their overall careers and skills.
Ferdinand was part of the panel that picked the Greatest XI in the Champions League era on BT Sport. When Ronaldinho and Bale's names came up in the conversation, the former England international promptly said:
“Hold up, you can’t mention Ronaldinho and Gareth Bale in the same sentence."
However, when mentioned that it was based purely on their respective Champions League careers, Ferdinand said:
“Gareth Bale, he’s above Ronaldinho in that sense."
He added:
“Gareth Bale, don’t get me wrong, he has had a ridiculous career. What he has won. The moments he has had. But the moments Ronaldinho has had (in his career), the moments will live with generations of people forever.”
Ronaldinho is arguably the most skillful football the world has ever seen. The former Barcelona forward beat defenders with ease while displaying immense skill and trickery on the ball. He has won many team and individual trophies with Brazil and multiple clubs, including the 2005 Ballon d'Or. However, he won only one Champions League trophy with Barcelona in the 2005-06 season.
Bale, meanwhile, now has five Champions League titles after Real Madrid's triumph this season over Liverpool in the final on May 28. He is also the second highest scorer in the finals of the competition with three goals, just one behind Cristiano Ronaldo (4).
He has produced some iconic moments in the competition, with the most iconic being his performance in the 2018 final against Liverpool. He scored from a ridiculous overhead kick before dishing out a fierce shot from 40 yards out.
Gareth Bale set to depart Real Madrid after nine roller-coaster years
The Welshman joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 for a then-world-record fee of €100 million. He lit up Spanish football in his first year itself with his iconic goal in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona. He ran half the pitch as defender Marc Bartra tried to push him off the touchline to score the winner in their 2-1 win.
He also helped Real Madrid win their 10th Champions League title by scoring in their 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the final.
That set the tone as the Welshman won five Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, three UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups. He scored 106 goals and made 67 assists in 258 appearances for the club in all competitions.
However, it wasn't all glory as his injury issues kept flaring up in the seasons post his debut. His relationship with some of the Spanish Madrid fans and the Spanish media declined as well.
As per Marca, his agent Jonathan Barnett has shared that the Welshman will now leave Real Madrid with his contract expiring this summer. With the 2022 FIFA World Cup coming up, it will be interesting to see where the Welshman moves next.
jsaidy
0
Mentioning Bale and Ronaldinho in the same sentence is like Comparing Benzema and Giroud.... Please let's have respect for legends 🙏🙏🙏🙏
For sure, I'm a Madrista
JacobStr8Up
0
Gareth Bale has won astronomically more silverware then Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho was a great show boat. But his carreer acheivements can not be compared to Gareth.
Puncdeklry
0
stop smoking weed
momenhuda
0
if you're comparing about stats, trophies and achievement, then Bale is mile ahead however if you talking about the player only, without comparing any of the above, then, Ronaldinho is mile mile mile ahead
Trophies and achievement? Dinho 2 time Balon d Or winner, World winner, he won everything. Bale only ahead UCL.
momenhuda
0
Mentioning Bale and Ronaldinho in the same sentence is like Comparing Benzema and Giroud.... Please let's have respect for legends 🙏🙏🙏🙏
I think Real fan respect Ronaldinho.
momenhuda
0
He only mention UCL because he cant forget Ronaldinho how to out England 2002 World Cup Brazil 2 Eng 1, Ronaldinho 1 score 1 assist.
armstrongaghoghojame
1
he's not lying he's saying the truth he only meant champions league, sometimes read well before you make comments dullards.
Fumceiklsu
0
Let bale sit on the bench and receive titles... That's all I can say
it's only this season champions league and bale is on bench
Libbklou
0
Then you can’t mention Ronaldo and Messi in same sentence 🤭
deriqmus
0
WTF is he talking about
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You won’t understand if your point of interest is on the other side
piwbdklny
0
Let bale sit on the bench and receive titles... That's all I can say
Heuklnprtu
0
I think you don’t know nothing about Bale he is a world class player. Better than Zlantan
Heerh, Sleep😂😂😂💔💔🤦♂️
Smercury50
1
Why did you even raise the issue in the first place. These idiots are trying to sneak Bale into greatest players of all time. Gareth Bale is wonderful player but is he as good as Zidane? Isco has 5 UEFA Champions league medals, is he as good as Zinedine Zidane. Is Bale better than Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Raul Luis Suarez, Guti, Benzema etc
I think you don’t know nothing about Bale he is a world class player. Better than Zlantan
Bouaimrty
3
Why did you even raise the issue in the first place. These idiots are trying to sneak Bale into greatest players of all time. Gareth Bale is wonderful player but is he as good as Zidane? Isco has 5 UEFA Champions league medals, is he as good as Zinedine Zidane. Is Bale better than Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Raul Luis Suarez, Guti, Benzema etc
jazlmnptu
0
Yes if it was Messi comparing to pele ir Maradona the would bring up wold cup but is not Messi so is only about ECL . Now I see World Cup is important if only you mention Messi as a goat. Hypocrites people everywhere when is about Barce legend World Cup isn’t important
Messi has 4 UCL.... 2006, 2009, 2011 & 2015.
Meyeinstuy
1
you already mentioned both of them in one sentence, construct another sentences.
YoungMakito10
0
Yes if it was Messi comparing to pele ir Maradona the would bring up wold cup but is not Messi so is only about ECL . Now I see World Cup is important if only you mention Messi as a goat. Hypocrites people everywhere when is about Barce legend World Cup isn’t important
well messi has only 3 ucl trophies and 0 world cup trophy so what is you argument
emmiekecity
1
this is painful truth bcs messi without balondor is like levandosky
Alaan10
0
How about World Cup or international trophies
Bro i am not talking about what he won...i am talking about what he's saying after becoming a pundit..
Heroines
1
Yes if it was Messi comparing to pele ir Maradona the would bring up wold cup but is not Messi so is only about ECL . Now I see World Cup is important if only you mention Messi as a goat. Hypocrites people everywhere when is about Barce legend World Cup isn’t important
Heroines
0
He forgot to mention World Cup
Yes if it was Messi comparing to pele or Maradona the would bring up wold cup but is not Messi so is only about ECL
mbudzeni
1
A lot of people seem to have not read and understood this article[Crylaugh]
fuccmnrsuz
1
Please let try to understand his statement before responding, dont just read headline but read the whole story analyses before you respond, the fact is has better ECL career than Ronaldinho, base on trophy goals and decisive moments, in terms of general talent and memorable moments in football history you can't compare them Ronaldinho is way above even Messi and Ronaldo before we can talk about Bale. that why he said Ronaldinho moments will live with generations of people for life.
Dybala1O
1
He is not talking trash indeed its true...Bale fails with Wales because his fellow players are weak but he alone fight for the Country...Ronaldinho is above Anyone you can count in the world of Football either Messi Ronaldo anyone...But I love Bale he is a Beast somehow you cant deny
Santoshjji
0
world cup and cupa America 😂 perform ance depends on the national squad level he would have qualified for euro if he played for Wales😂😂
not qualified
Santoshjji
1
And Ronaldinho is better with World Cup and Cupa America. Useless comparison
world cup and cupa America 😂 perform ance depends on the national squad level he would have qualified for euro if he played for Wales😂😂
D-BLUNT
2
I think he’s on drugs
D-BLUNT
1
WTF is he talking about
jsaidy
4
Mentioning Bale and Ronaldinho in the same sentence is like Comparing Benzema and Giroud.... Please let's have respect for legends 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Noocnsy
2
if you're comparing about stats, trophies and achievement, then Bale is mile ahead however if you talking about the player only, without comparing any of the above, then, Ronaldinho is mile mile mile ahead
Showex
0
He forgot to mention World Cup
Showex
0
You can disagree with me but i am telling you Ferdinand is the only English Pundit i have ever seen that talk about facts 👌🏼...FACTOS 👀
How about World Cup or international trophies
Showex
0
let's be honest bro... champions league wise with statistics bale was far better...
And Ronaldinho is better with World Cup and Cupa America. Useless comparison
CollinsEfosaEhioro
4
let's be honest bro... champions league wise with statistics bale was far better...
Alaan10
7
You can disagree with me but i am telling you Ferdinand is the only English Pundit i have ever seen that talk about facts 👌🏼...FACTOS 👀
lukeiknprt
2
that is the fact
ruacdelrz
0
Have you read such weed statement from England before?
[image]
it's not a lie tho.
ElRoma
3
Have you read such weed statement from England before?
sayeidsyed
4
hala Madrid
itzsernate
5
This English media are very toxic they know nothing about football they judge everything with stats
Bumaciruy
7
He's not lying tho