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Casemiro has hailed Gareth Bale as the most complete player he has ever played alongside.
The Brazilian midfielder ranked the Welshman above even Cristiano Ronaldo when discussing his former Real Madrid teammates.
Casemiro highlights Bale’s all-round effect
Casemiro has named Bale as the most complete player he has worked with during his career, despite sharing a dressing room with Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
Talking about Rio Ferdinand presents YouTube channel, the Brazilian midfielder reflected on the remarkable talent in Madrid’s squad during their dominant era in Europe.
While Ronaldo’s goalscoring exploits made him the standout star for many observers, Casemiro pointed to Bale’s wider influence across the pitch.
The midfielder explained that Bale’s ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game – from attack to defense – made him stand out among the elite players he faced at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Casemiro explains why Bale stands out
Casemiro contrasted Ronaldo’s extraordinary goalscoring record with Bale’s versatility when discussing the pair, emphasizing the physical and technical qualities that defined Bale’s game.
“Cristiano scores, Cristiano has 15 goals. Minimum 15 goals. But Bale attacks, defends, heads, scores, fails,” explained Casemiro.
“Cristiano is the best. Cristiano is the best. Cristiano is another. Cristiano gives… Take Cristiano out of the conversation. But for me, Bale is the best, more complete. Because he attacks, he defends, he scores headers, mistakes. Everything he does very well, very quickly. Too strong. And for me, Bale is an incredible player.”
Bale’s complicated legacy at Real Madrid
Bale played a key role in one of the most successful periods in Real Madrid’s history. The Welsh winger helped the club win five Champions League titles during his time in Spain, scoring 106 goals across all competitions.
Despite these achievements, his relationship with parts of Madrid’s fan base was often strained. Bale often faced criticism in the Spanish media, especially in the latter stages of his stay at the club.
Reflecting on that period earlier, Bale admitted he might have handled the investigation differently.
As quoted by Mirrorhe said: “I think for Real Madrid, I don’t think it was enough for the fans. I was stubborn and I didn’t want to change, but if I played the game a little better, I would have been less targeted by the press and the fans.”
Casemiro remains one of the few players to have shared a dressing room with some of football’s most famous names across club and international football.
But at 34 and with his contract at Manchester United set to expire at the end of next month, the Brazil international has a decision to make about his future, with reports suggesting the midfielder could join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
