Bale’s in the mood to become a great and carry Wales to glory
DIEGO MARADONA did it. So too Michel Platini. And Pele. But the list of those players who can carry a team to greatness in a major tournament is extremely limited.
Pele and Maradona did it on the world stage. Platini in these very championships on French soil three decades ago.
Genuine greats such as George Best and Ryan Giggs were never even afforded the opportunity to perform on such a stage.
However, if anyone in the modern day and age is capable of lifting his national team to greater heights than anyone thought possible – surely it is Gareth Bale.
And that responsibility became even clearer after this.
Wales might have waited 58 years for the scuffed finish from Hal Robson-Kanu – but if the principality is to enjoy an extended stay in this competition it is to the world’s most expensive footballer that they have to look.
And his sensational early stamp on this competition has sent a clear message to Roy Hodgson ahead of Thursday’s Battle of Britain: He needs to come up with a plan.
Can England’s head coach allow this supremely-gifted talent the opportunity to create havoc?
Granted, his opening salvo in this competition was from a dead-ball situation – but this team revolves around the 26-yearold’s genius – and everyone involved with Wales knows it.
Here, before 25,000 joyous red-shirted travellers from the principality, the Real Madrid magician needed just 10 minutes to remind us all of his talent.
France have Dimitri Payet and I think we all do understand after he awoke this competition on Friday night.
But Bale is asked continually to perform miracles with this Wales side. Seven goals in qualifying and two assists. Chris Coleman only performed his fist-pump twice during qualification without the £85million man being involved.
Staggering statistics which only underline the importance of the Cardiffborn superstar.
And with a player like this around, who knows what might happen?
His mere presence is enough to send confidence soaring through colleagues who can see where the benchmark has been set.
They try. But the truth is that they haven’t got a cat in hell’s chance of reaching it.
Not even players such as Aaron Ramsey whose ability in any other generation of Welsh players, would stick out like a sore thumb.
At the final whistle, Bale let out a guttural roar. These three points should go a long way towards securing a spot in the knockout stages.
And there is a growing feeling among this generation – ever since the first ball was kicked in anger in qualification against Andorra that something special might be around the corner.
Yes, England, you have been warned.
Bale is in the mood. Wales are in the mood.
Be on your guard.