Is Bale an amazing footballer or an amazing athlete?

[stormfly]

One of my mates (liverpool fan) said to me today that he thinks Bale is up there with Messi! What do you guys think? I think Bale is an exceptional athlete, he's fast and can run all day but I feel Messi is a pure footballer.

 

[brett.spurs]

Both?

If he was just an amazing athlete then he wouldn't be able to put balls on a plate for our strikers with such consistency.

 

[Jody]

His athleticism is a big part of making him an amazing footballer.

 

[tony_parkes]

Both an athlete and a footballer. His delivery for crouch and pav's goals when running at such pace is an incredibly difficult skill and one that he is one of the best at.

He relies on his athleticism more than messi but it annoys me when I read on that redcafe forum that some are dismissing him as purely a speed merchant. He can dribble, good first touch, hits a great free kick etc.

 

[stormfly]

Ok, Jenas, same question.....................only joking.

 

[brett.spurs]

Yeah I've read idiots saying all he does is kick + run, the boy's defo got skills to get past 2/3 players in a tight space - he went between Maicon and whoever on a couple of occasions yesterday with excellent close control and his delivery is amazing - whether that's crossing or shooting.

 

[Teemu]

Who cares, he's awesome, he's ripped apart the European champions twice in two games.

 

[Azrael]

This thread raises an interesting issue. One of Bale's skills in his pace, but will he still be what he is now when he is reaching 30?

I guess we will have to wait and see.

 

[Lanh]

I'd say amazing athlete with the potential to be an amazing footballer.

 

[mill]

Left sided Beckham with pace

 

[Greavesy]

He's both.

The goal he scored against Inter where he ran from his own half at full pace and smashed it into the bottom corner was pure footballer to me.

Yes, he couldn't have done it without being such a great athlete, but the fact that he combines both is what makes him so immense :hump:

 

[Mr Pink]

Were people watching the skill he showed last night...one big thing he's got is a wonderful delivery when he's going full pelt like that...ie when the ball is travelling at speed and obviously he is...he can still produce a lovely ball - thats a difficult skill in itself.

He showed great feet on numerous occasions last night.....dont even think its work a discussion - he's a great footballer and a great athlete...hence his performance last night, and of late, and the football world going crazy about him.

I was having visions of Jenas when I first read that though :grin:

 

[Azazello]

He's both.

Saw some lovely skill from him last night - the Welsh Roberto Carlos.

 

[Garm]

Yeah I've read idiots saying all he does is kick + run, the boy's defo got skills to get past 2/3 players in a tight space - he went between Maicon and whoever on a couple of occasions yesterday with excellent close control and his delivery is amazing - whether that's crossing or shooting.

Well he's a bit kick and run, but what the hell with the pace he's got that's the most effective way to play. But there's also tons of skills involved of course and an amazing left foot. He's not doing the stepovers and other tricks but there's no use for that, he just runs past them for fun.

 

[Maske2g]

Messi is also an amazing athlete, in a slightly different sense.

To make dozens of short, sharp bursts, and recover enough to do it time and again, whilst maintaining incredible balance and ball skills, proves that.

 

[Bulletspur]

Both. His pace is part of his armoury which he uses to good effect, but I became a convert yesterday where even in tight spaces, I saw he had the skill and confidence to get out of situations with just natural ball control and technique. Even his throw ins are brilliant!

 

[Mr Pink]

Both. His pace is part of his armoury which he uses to good effect, but I became a convert yesterday where even in tight spaces, I saw he had the skill and confidence to get out of situations with just natural ball control and technique. Even his throw ins are brilliant!

Exactly...

He's got the lot - pace, power and stamina coupled with great technique.

 

[spurdownunder]

Yeah I've read idiots saying all he does is kick + run, the boy's defo got skills to get past 2/3 players in a tight space - he went between Maicon and whoever on a couple of occasions yesterday with excellent close control and his delivery is amazing - whether that's crossing or shooting.

Isn't the entire game a football about kicking and running or am I missing something?
Some just do both better than others.

 

[Damian99]

but will he still be what he is now when he is reaching 30?

That won't bother us by then.

 

[BuffaloSid]

Damien99 ..great tits by the way !

um back to the point !

Bale is a bigger, stronger, quicker Beckham.
If he didnt have that astonishing pace then hed still be pinging great crosses in from up and down that left flank.
The mans got vision and technique by the bucket load!

If its just pace then why arent agbonglohor (whatever!) or Carlton cole playing our wide and getting the same success??