Ever since 2008, the Balon d’Or has been dominated by two great names; Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. It’s an award that officially translates the opinions of the footballing public into an award. Once you receive it, you keep it forever and your name goes down in history amongst the greatest ever. Every footballer aspires to reach that level, as does Gareth Bale.
However, it’s sad to say, but there’s a reason why Gareth Bale has never come close to winning the Balon d’Or in recent years. The best the Welshman has achieved is finishing 6th in the 2016 awards, that’s it. That’s commendable but it’s not close to being the best in the world, something Bale will never be.
Here are 5 reasons why Gareth Bale will never be a Balon d’Or contender.
#5 He’s British
The general consensus around British players is that they’re constantly overrated by their own and not rated by the rest of the world. Often their status goes before them rather than their actual ability. Because of that stigma, British players will never truly be rated outside of the UK.
Of the modern era, only Michael Owen has officially been heralded as the world’s best player, only because he was truly sensational. Gareth Bale is not sensational in the same light and he cannot be classed as an exception to the trend.
#4 Must deliver at an International tournament
Bale has scored 26 goals for Wales in 66 appearances
It’s a shame that Gareth Bale plays for Wales as he’ll never be seen in the latter stages of a World Cup with such a team. For Cristiano Ronaldo that was the case, but he dragged a poor Portuguese side to the European Championships, that’s the difference. Bale must use the next major International tournament to become a superstar, he needs to take it by the scruff of the neck and carry average players along with him.
Performing when a global audience is watching only heightens your profile, making you more likely to win a Balon d’Or. Ronaldo & Messi steal headlines during the domestic season and International period, that’s what Bale must replicate.
#3 Others are more talented than him
Unfortunately for Bale, he lives in an era where some of the best players in history are present. In fact, the two best players to ever lace a pair of boots are alive today and Gareth Bale is not one of them.
Besides those two, it’s hard to argue that in terms of plain ability that Bale is better than; Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Neymar, Paulo Dybala, Eden Hazard and Anthony Martial.
Before even thinking of a Balon d’Or title, the 28-year old has to prove he’s better than all those names. At 28 years of age, Bale is at his peak playing years while all those other names are in their early twenties. By now he should be head & shoulders ahead of them, instead, he’s trailing behind and doesn’t look set to ever excel past them.
#2 His numbers are not extraordinary
Gareth Bale only scored 9 goals in the 2016/17 season
In 148 appearances for Real Madrid, the 28-year old has only scored 67 goals, equating to a goal every 0.45 matches. That’s minuscule compared to the world elites. Compare that to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 394 goals in 357 Madrid appearances, 1.1 goals every match or Messi’s 1 goal per match.
Gareth Bale is far away from such a level because he doesn’t have that killer instinct inside him. In order to be a star in today’s market, goals are a necessary commodity. Barely reaching double digits in goals and assists a season is hardly Balon d’Or worthy form. To be the best in the world, your numbers must stand out and lead the way not blend in with the masses.
#1 He’s not the main man
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are part of Real’s BBC
At Real Madrid, the Welshman will only ever be a supporting act to Cristiano Ronaldo. Never will he be considered as on the par with the 32-year old, only ever as an understudy. The difference between Ronaldo and Bale is; when CR picks up the ball he’s looking to score, when Bale gets the ball he’s looking for Ronaldo. That difference will never allow the Welshman to reach the pinnacle of world football.
What’s the difference between Neymar and Bale? Not much in terms of ability, but the former has shown he has more ambition than the latter. The Brazilian moved to Paris Saint-Germain so he could have a shot at winning the Balon d’Or, he wants to be the main man rather than Messi’s side show. To win the Balon d’Or you must be THE star of your team, there are no exceptions.
