Cristiano Ronaldo vs Gareth Bale: Who’s King of The Bernabeu?

Real Madrid like to win. Correction, LOVE to win. And there isn’t much they won’t do to make this reality.

Real Madrid have been responsible for some of the most deadly partnerships the footballing world has seen: the class of Puskas & Di Stefano in the 50’s, the formidable partnership between Butragueno & Sanchez in the mid-80’s, and Raul & Ronaldo who terrorised defences around the world in the 90’s.

No one can take anything away from these players or the type of partnerships formed, goals scored and league campaigns dominated, but for me, unlike any other formidable duos in the history of football, never have two players represented the epitome of athleticism the way Bale and Ronaldo do. Period.

Bale and Ronaldo are Master Specimens. They can jump as high as basketball players, run as fast as sprinters and share the technicalities of boxers – from the ability of these two, you almost feel like they would thrive regardless of what sport they chose to take on.

The dynamics of the Los Blancos meant that when Bale was bought by Madrid in 2013, much anticipated the sort of relationship and reaction would be evoked from Ronaldo, who has been at the helm of the Bernabeu since joining in 2009.

The personalities and influence of these two players has probably produced the intended effect – it has brought out the best from both players. Expectation was that Bale would fold under the sort of pressure playing for Madrid, but he’s never really been one to choke – from making his debut for Southampton or Wales at 16, or after his first ‘big-money’ move to Spurs.

Ronaldo, a player always seen as egoistic from his United days, was used to being in the spotlight as the best player on the pitch, has been in his element. At the Bernabeu, he has never felt threatened by his team-mates, but the introduction of Bale meant he not only had to continue producing the kind of results in his game, but to outclass Bale for fear of being dethroned.

Bale, a more introvert player who has had the Premier League spotlight on him for years now became widely known as ‘World’s most expensive player’ – a crown taken from Ronaldo. Whether you have the mentality of Bale or Ronaldo, as the most expensive player in the world, many would not expect Bale to play a supporting role to Ronaldo.

 Ronaldo probably wondered how many other records could Bale steal from him.

The reaction of Ronaldo when Bale made nutmegged him on the opening days of training said it all with Ronaldo, whilst being laughed at by his team mates, playing down the sheer skill and movement of his new team-mate. This confirmed the fact that Bale would not settle for starring under the spotlight of Ronaldo – no more than Ronaldo wanted Bale to become to the main attraction of the Bernabau.

The formidable partnership of these two has been formed on fear, competition and personal aspiration of both players to prove to the world, to prove to their team-mates and to prove to one another especially, who is king. And both have done so on the pitch.

Both were awarded the highest accolade in the Premier League for an individual player before paving their way across to Spain. For Bale it was 22 goals in 44 appearances last season, an unbelievable records for your first season in La Liga. Ronaldo, nearly five years older than Bale, managed 33 goals in his first season.

What is scary is how similar these players are. It is almost like Bale has figured the blueprint of Ronaldo in terms of what it takes to look and play as well as he does, and has applied it directly into his game. Both will wow the world as they have done season by season, but who will be crowned the King of Bernabeu this season?  Could Ronaldo ever accept being No 2?

I wouldn’t bet on it!