8 Footballers Who Could End The Lionel Messi/Cristiano Ronaldo Era Of Dominance

2. Gareth Bale

When Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham in the summer of 2013, there were plenty of people who felt the two-time PFA Player of the Year might struggle st Santiago Bernabeu. He had been sensational for Spurs, but this was an almighty step up. As it happens, the 25-year-old has been brilliant during his time in Spain, scoring 34 times in just 69 appearances from out wide. Because of the amount of attention Ronaldo receives, and understandably so, Bale often finds himself in the background a little, and he doesn't receive the praise his performances have deserved. He is unplayable when he is on top of his game, with blistering pace, physical stature, superb decision-making and an ever improving goalscoring ability. The goal he scored against Barcelona in last season's Copa del Rey final was an incredible effort, and summed up how unstoppable he can be. It's crazy that Bale is still only 25 - he broke into the Southampton side at the age of 16, which makes it slightly more understandable - and he still has so many years ahead of him. He is already one of the top five or six players in the world, and he may be the man to take over from Ronaldo as Madrid's talisman, once the Portuguese's genius begins to wane.