Michael Owen was full of praise for Tottenham transfer target, Gareth Bale, as he was arguing about putting him in his all-time Champions League XI, as he told BT Sport.
When it came to the forward areas, Ronaldinho’s name was suggested by a panel consisting of Martin Keown, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Owen – Ronaldinho won the Champions League in Barcelona colours.
Even if the Brazil superstar had never won the tournament, like his fellow countryman Ronaldo, he still would have been spoken about in high terms because of the generation-inspiring career he had.
But, when it comes purely down to Champions League football, does Ronaldinho push ahead of someone like Bale?
Well, Owen certainly thinks the ex-Spurs winger does, as he spoke about the ‘big moments’ the Welshman produced during his time in Madrid.
“If you look at Bale, and I am not saying he is as good as Ronaldinho,” said Owen.
“In every way shape or form, in the Champions League, assists, goals, appearances and medals. Big moments.
“In any way you look at it. It’s impossible you can say, Ronaldinho. He (Bale) is (above him) in every way. He (Ronaldinho) has won the Champions League once and only played 47 games.”
BALE TO MAKE TOTTENHAM RETURN
It’s the end of the road for Bale in Madrid and he leaves with a fifth European crown to his name.
In truth, he didn’t have much say in his fifth crown, but he certainly produced the goods over the years for the Spanish side.
There’s no doubt that it turned very sour in the end for the 32-year-old, but once the dust has settled, those legendary moments he produced will be remembered far clearer than the media having an obsession with him playing golf.
But could Bale’s final few steps in his career land him back on the doorstep of Tottenham? Well, there are suggestions that Spurs have agreed on a pre-contract agreement for the versatile forward.
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