Casemiro Risks Wrath of ‘Good Friend’ Cristiano Ronaldo as He Names Gareth Bale ‘Most Complete’ Player

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has made a surprising declaration, naming Gareth Bale as the "most complete player" he has ever played with, a choice that left former United defender Rio Ferdinand astonished.

During a decorated career at Real Madrid, Casemiro was a key figure in a dominant era, sharing the pitch with modern legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, and Sergio Ramos. Despite this star-studded roster, it was the Welsh forward who made the most significant impression on the Brazilian.

Bale, who joined Real Madrid from Tottenham in a then-world-record transfer in 2013, famously transitioned from a left-back to a world-class attacker. By his peak, he was a formidable winger who scored decisive goals in two Champions League finals, including a memorable match-winning brace in 2018.

Speaking on the "Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE" YouTube channel, Casemiro explained his reasoning, emphasising Bale's all-around capabilities. "Bale attacks, defends, heads, scores, fouls," he said, before clarifying his high praise for Ronaldo. "Cristiano is the best... Take Cristiano out of the conversation. But for me, Bale is the best, more complete."

The midfielder elaborated on the Welshman's unique skill set. "He does everything very well, very quick. Too strong. For me, Bale is an unbelievable player," Casemiro added.

Ferdinand appeared shocked by the selection, noting that Casemiro had also played alongside Brazilian superstars Ronaldinho and Neymar at the international level.

While those players, along with Ronaldo, were phenomenal attackers, it was Bale's effectiveness across the entire pitch that set him apart in Casemiro's view.

Bale's near-decade-long tenure at the Bernabeu yielded 106 goals and was marked by both immense success and controversy. Though he was instrumental in securing three La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies, he never fully won over the club's fanbase.

The Welshman himself has reflected on his time in Spain, admitting, "I think for Real Madrid, I don’t think that was enough for the fans. I was stubborn and I didn’t want to change, but if I played the game a bit better, I would have been less targeted by the press and the fans.”