Gareth Bale turned 31 yesterday and we are taking a look back at his five finest moments throughout his illustrious career so far.
The Real Madrid winger has been in the media spotlight for the wrong reasons of late, following his childish antics in the games against Alaves and Granada, respectively.
There is no doubting his ability on the pitch, though. He started his career at Southampton and went onto play for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
He then signed a record breaking deal of £85.3 million to play for Real Madrid in 2013, in what has been a topsy-turvy seven years for the Welshman in the Spanish Capital.
The Winger has, however, shined for his country – scoring 33 times in 83 appearances for the Red Dragons since making his debut in 2006.
Marking Bale’s birthday, we take a look below at his most remarkable moments as a player.
That ‘unbelievable’ overhead kick…
This was nothing short of extraordinary from the Wales star. With the game level, he was introduced from the substitutes bench and just minutes after coming on, he produced a moment of magic, as he scored a phenomenal overhead kick to put Los Blancos ahead.
He also scored the third goal, as he played a starring role in helping Real Madrid to secure their record 13th UEFA Champions League title by defeating Liverpool 3-1 in Kyiv.
Scoring Wales’ first goal at the European Championships…
Bale United a nation in Wales’ first game at the European Championships, in 2016 – by scoring their first goal of the competition.
It was a brilliant free-kick, too. Although it could be argued that Slovakia’s goalkeeper, Matus Kozacik could have done better with his positioning, but Bale struck the free-kick delightfully.
It sent the Welsh fans into scenes of delirium in Bordeaux. Slovakia did go onto equalise, but Hal Robson-Kanu’s second-half strike saw the Red Dragons secure all three points.
They went onto reach the semi-final of the tournament, before being knocked out by Portugal.
The scintillating hat-trick against Inter Milan…
This one is arguably his most incredible achievement of them all. Tottenham Hotspur are 4-0 down to Inter Milan following a disastrous first-half at the San Siro.
Step-up, Gareth Bale – who burst into life in the second-half, as he bagged a stunning hat-trick in what was a scintillating display from the Welsh winger.
They may have lost that game in the 2010 UEFA Champions League group stage 4-3, but this game was about Bale and what a special talent he was about to become for both club and country.
That incredible Solo goal against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final...
Bale showed his ferocious pace and power in his first season at Real Madrid, scoring 15 goals in 27 La Liga appearances.
But it was in the 2014 Copa del Rey final, where the Welshman showcased his true potential, against Barcelona – as he put in a man of the match display, as he scored a quite simply sensational solo goal to earn Los Blancos their 19th cup success.
Bale scores in first UEFA Champions League final for Los Blancos…
In his first season at Real Madrid, Bale also scored in his first UEFA Champions League final, in 2014.
Following a sensational mazy run from Argentinian winger, Angel Di Maria, he had his attempt stopped by Atletico Madrid goalkeeper at the time, Thibaut Courtouis.
Bale was on hand to head home the rebound to give them a crucial lead in extra-time. They went onto win the game in Lisbon 4-1 against their Madrid rivals, to cap off a brilliant first season in the Spanish Capital.
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
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