Take a wow, Gareth
Ashley Wi l l iams last night revealed Gareth Bale is in full mind- blowing mode ahead of Euro 2016.
The Real Madrid ace – in Stockholm for his nation’s f inal warm- up match against Sweden today – was the f lame igniting the Dragons’ qualification campaign with seven of their 11 goals.
But skipper Williams said: “In every single game and every training session we have, there is a Gareth Bale moment – a time when you just go ‘ Wow!’ and he blows your mind.
“You watch him and wonder, ‘ How did he do that?’ At times he can look almost superhuman – especially when he’s practising his free-kicks.
“He was brilliant for us in qualif ication. When you’re watching from the back you can almost feel sorry for the other team’s defenders because there is so much Gareth can do.”
Bale finished the season with 21 goa l s and a second Champions League title with Madrid.
The 26- year- old will move on to France as one of the most feared players at the tournament.
Wi l l iams added: “Gareth can win you games on his own.
“We all play our part and put a shi f t in behind him but he’s the match-winner. He’s like no one I’ve ever seen.”
However, his status as a Madrid Galactico has not set him apart in the dressing room.
Swansea star Williams said: “He may f ly in sometimes on Madrid’s private jet but he’s down- to- ear th and humble – still a kid who likes to be a prankster.” Wayne show his truly ability on the big stage.
“Everyone talks about how good he looks in midfield.
“He’s controlling games and has goals in him, no matter where he plays.
“It looks like he’s going to play in midfield for England which will be different for him.
“But he has the quality to do that and he could have a fantastic tournament in that unfamiliar position. I wouldn’t doubt him doing that.”
A teenage Rooney scored four in four games to be included in UEFA’s team of the tournament in Portugal – but that was the best of a mixed bag.
He went into the 2006 World Cup carrying a foot injury and failed to shine in the group stage matches.
His frustration got worse when he was sent off in the quarter-final with Portugal for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho.
The incident resulted in his United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo infamously winking at the Portugal bench.
England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 and were slated as they misfired at World Cup 2010 in South Africa, crashing out in the second round with Rooney failing to score.
The Man United striker sat out two matches of England’s group games at Euro 12, serving a ban for a red card.
He was back as his country crashed out in the quarter finals on penalties to Italy.
His displays prompted then England boss Fabio Capello to claim Rooney “only plays well in Manchester”.
Rooney netted his first World Cup goal against Uruguay at Brazil 2014.
But England finished bottom of their group and again Rooney was in the critics’ firing line.
But Fletcher said: “Wayne has always been injured and having to play catch- up before tournaments. He’s been