Gareth Bale is the next Ronaldo . Even Zidane says it : all Zinedine Zidane says that only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have impressed him more than Tottenham star Gareth Bale this season.

The Welsh winger, named PFA Player of the Year for his exploits at Spurs, is "more than good enough" to play for Los Blancos, added the Frenchman, with the Spanish giants known suitors.

As revealed by Goal, the north London club are close to tying down their in-demand forward to a new £130,000-per-week contract this summer.

"I have been watching Tottenham for the very reason that Bale has been playing," Zidane told Goal.

"Aside from Ronaldo and Messi, who are the top players, I must admit that he is the footballer who impressed me most.

"He particularly impressed me because he was consistent – he wasn't great in one or two matches, he was a great player all the time. He scored goals and was consistently scoring them – very important goals. He has been very impressive."

Asked if Bale could be playing at the Santiago Bernabeu next season, Zidane replied: "All big, talented players could go to Real Madrid.

"He is more than good enough to play for Real Madrid."

Bale is Bale.

And what a wonderful talent he is :)

^ 100% True. Just because he plays like him, doesn't mean he is him. Sure, in about 5 years bale might get a Ballon d'OR, but he is not the next Ronaldo.

Any Madrid fan will tell you that this is typical Real Madrid transfer strategy.
Step 1 = Identify Player X as a player they want
STep 2 = Speak to Player X or his agent too feel him out
Step 3 = If Player X and/or his club don't want to do business this summer, and he is a high priority/blockbuster signing needed for re-election/PR purposes begin media campaign (Steps 4-8)
Step 4 = Have a high-ranking executive/backroom member praise Player A in media
Step 5 = Make a symbolic offer for said player even if clubs are in agreement a deal won't go through this season
Step 6 = Make a pre-agreement with Player X to move next summer
Step 7 = Next summer, offer massive deal and make it clear to media that Player X wants deal done.
Step 8 = If Parent club resists, encourage Player X to make a stinker/strike to force the move through
Step 9 = Job Complete

GunnerAFC is right!

@Foota isn't that like Neymar?