Gareth Bale creates his perfect player, includes star who has made six Premier League appearances in three seasons

Gareth Bale has created his perfect player and included a surprised selection amongst his picks.

The 34-year-old retired at the start of 2023 following a first World Cup campaign with Wales, ending a decorated 17-year professional career.

Bale grew into a world-beater at Spurs, winning two PFA Player of the Year awards before sealing a world-record switch to Real Madrid in 2013.

Although his rapport with the Los Blancos fans was mixed, he won five Champions League titles and 106 goals for the club.

Bale, who played alongside some of the very best players in modern football, recently picked his 'perfect player' and Real Madrid stars dominated his choices.

Luka Modric, who he played with for both Spurs and Real, was his pick for vision, while he also went for fellow midfield metronome Toni Kroos' right foot.

Image: Getty

He picked his own left foot but opted for Cristiano Ronaldo's shooting, Isco's control and the tackling of Casemiro.

However, 'saving' is where an extremely left-field answer emerged from Bale.

Bale played with a host of top goalkeepers in Iker Casillas, Thibaut Courtois, Keylor Navas and Hugo Lloris.

Image: Sky Sport

But he singled out long-time Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, who holds the record for the most clean sheets for his country.

Hennessy, capped 109 times for his country, was the man between the sticks as Wales reached the semi-finals at Euro 2016.

He has 187 Premier League appearances to his name, the vast majority of which came with Crystal Palace and Wolves.

Image: Getty

He played three times for Burnley in the 2021/22 season and now plies his trade with Nottingham Forest, where he's turned out nine times after joining in the summer of 2022.

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Topics: Premier League, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Wales, Crystal Palace

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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