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Ferdinand: Bale is not at Messi or Ronaldo's level yet
27-Feb-2013 4:30:00 PM
The Tottenham winger has scored 15 league goals in an incredible season, but the Manchester United centre-back still says he has a long way to go to become one of the world's best
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Gareth Bale has to keep putting in top class displays for the next two or three seasons before the Tottenham star can be considered in the same bracket as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.The Spurs winger has been in sensational form of late, scoring 15 Premier League goals this season to alert the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City as his current club prepare for a huge summer bidding war.
And while the Wales international surged past the former England centre-back to score in a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford, the Red Devils stalwart says the 23-year-old must show this form for far longer to become one of the world's best.
Ferdinand Tweeted: "People mentioning Bale in the same breath as @Cristiano + Messi really don't know football! Bale been 1 of best 2 in PL this year but...He is not on CR7 + Messi's level yet...he carries on doing what he is doing for 2/3yrs then there can be a debate.
"Bale showed me a clean pair of heals once this year so I'm in good position to judge! CR7 + Messi have been on another planet for 4-5yrs #consistent."
Spurs sit in third place in Andre Villas-Boas' debut season at White Hart Lane, with Bale two goals in the 3-2 Monday night win at West Ham - the last being a 90th minute match-winning wonder strike - leaving his side four points clear of rivals Arsenal.
The Gunners travel to Spurs on Sunday, where a win for the home side would leave them seven points clear of Arsene Wenger's side in the race for Champions League qualification.
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