The Big Boys !!!!!

Amazing similarities between the paths of both Gareth Bale and Ronaldo. Both scrawny young lads from relatively humble beginnings, Bale playing in his youth for Cardiff Civil Service FC and Ronaldo for local Madeira side CF Andorinha...


Cristiano then progressing his career through Nacional then Sporting and Gareth moving through the Southampton youth sides to the first team. Ronaldo came to Old Trafford, a raw scruffy teenager with the intent to be exciting and run with the ball (maybe too much at first). Bale was picked up by Spurs, similarly lanky and awkward but with obvious talent and a love of beating players through sheer pace.

Over the following years both players filled out physically and began to mature into regular first team players, honed by their clubs and eventually progressing into the focal points of their teams, at times single handedly bringing glory. Real Madrid then purchased both for world record fees and now their paths have collided.

Congrats to Spurs though- At the end of the day, football is a business and to make a £85million profit on one player in just over 6 years eases the pain.