Gary Neville was stunned by the performances and decline of former Tottenham and Arsenal duo, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, after Wales were knocked out of the Qatar World Cup.
The former England defender questioned the performances of Wales’ senior duo and dismissed claims that they are ‘ageing’, as he told his own podcast.
Aaron Ramsey, who is 31, left Arsenal in 2019 and endured a nightmare spell at Juventus before joining French side, Nice, this summer.
On the other hand, for Bale, after a trophy-laden career at Real Madrid, in between two spells at Tottenham, the 33-year-old, now in the MLS, played like he had a piano on his back out in Doha.
Neville thinks, in modern football terms, at the age Bale and Ramsey are at, it’s like being 28/29 and not 31-33, as he was left disappointed by what the Welsh produced on their return to football’s biggest stage.
“I thought they were awful,” said Neville. “I was so disappointed in them. Nothing again.
“But this idea that they are an ageing team. I mean Ramsey is 31, Bale is 33 and I think Joe Allen is 32. That, in modern-day football. They aren’t going out and doing 20 pints, like 25 years ago.
“33 now is like 28 or 29, in real terms. I don’t think 31, 32 or 33 is any age for a football player. Yes, when you get to 35 or 36, then you are probably going to struggle if you are a dynamic player.
“But I expect Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey and Bale, in moments, to be able to deliver those special moments.”
THE END OF THE ROAD FOR BALE AND RAMSEY?
Euro 2024 is a tournament Wales will be aiming to make, and in truth, they should now reach given the bars they have set in recent times.
But where are Bale and Ramsey on that road to Euro 2024 in Germany?
Tottenham’s former star is struggling to play on a regular basis for MLS side Los Angeles FC, whilst Ramsey is playing at a better level for Nice, but he hasn’t looked the same since he left Arsenal.
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