Pundits react as ‘greatest British’ talent claim made about Bale

Gareth Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett has sparked a debate about where Gareth Bale ranks in the list of British footballing greats.

Bale produced two terrific strikes on Thursday – one in each half of Wales’ World Cup play-off semi-final – as they won 2-1 against Austria to move within one game of ending their 64-year wait to play at a World Cup.

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Wales have played at the last two European Championships, but not at a World Cup since reaching the quarter-finals in Sweden in 1958.

His match-winning performance for his country came just days after he had missed the El Clasico clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Peak Gareth Bale plays football like it’s a wide-screen movie

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti had said he “didn’t feel well”, with the Wales management saying he had a “little niggle”.

Bale, who has played just 77 minutes of club football since the end of August following hamstring and calf injuries, has been heavily criticised in the Madrid media.

One media outlet described him as a “parasite” and Bale was asked after the game whether his goal celebrations had sent a message to his critics.

Bale said he did not need to send a message, adding: “I don’t need to say anything, it’s a waste of my time.

“It’s disgusting. They should be ashamed of