HE’S SIMPLY THE BEST

BALE WOULD HAVE BEEN PRAISED MORE IF HE WAS ENGLISH, INSISTS LEDLEY

JOE Ledley has described Gareth Bale as the best British player of his generation and says he would have had more respect if he had been English.

Real Madrid forward Bale is poised to win his 100th Wales cap against Belarus on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring tear which has ruled him out for two months.

Bale is in the final year of his Real contract with his time at the Spanish giants set to end next summer.

The 32-year-old Wales captain joined Real for a then-world record fee in 2013 and has won four Champions Leagues, three FIFA Club World Cups, two Laliga titles and a Copa del Rey during his time in Spain.

Bale, who was twice named PFA player of the year while at Tottenham, claimed decisive goals in two Champions League finals and has scored over 100 goals for Real.

“If you look at his CV what he’s won and his individual performances, both at Tottenham and Madrid, then he’s by far the best British player of his generation,” former Wales midfielder Ledley told the PA news agency at a Mcdonald’s Fun Football session.

“Does he get enough credit? Definitely not. I think if he was English he’d get a lot more praise.

“Look at what someone like Jack Grealish gets off the media. But Bale’s a totally different level.

“Being Welsh you don’t get those credits that English players do.”

Bale will become the second Welshman after Chris Gunter to reach the 100-cap milestone.

Ledley added: “Gareth just loves meeting up with Wales, he has been like that from his first game.

“He’s the first one to be in the hotel. He loves the atmosphere. Even if he’s injured he wants to be there with the players.