Gareth Bale revealed that Micah Richards was the toughest defender he faced during his playing career.
Bale boasts an illustrious career, winning 5 Champions League titles and 3 La Liga titles during his time at Real Madrid, accumulating numerous honors. He retired in January 2023 after lifting the MLS Cup with Los Angeles FC.
When asked who the strongest defender he ever encountered was, Bale replied without hesitation: "Micah Richards."
The former Manchester City right-back was forced to retire at the age of 31 in 2019 due to a knee injury. Prior to that, Richards claimed 2 Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a League Cup. He also suffered relegation to the Championship with Aston Villa and had a one-season loan spell at Serie A side Fiorentina.
Bale faced Micah Richards 5 times during his career, scoring just 1 goal and losing 3 of those matches.
Bale also disclosed that he regards his spectacular overhead kick in Real Madrid's 2018 Champions League final victory over Liverpool as the greatest goal in the competition's history. That strike tops his personal list, surpassing the volley he scored for Tottenham Hotspur against Stoke City in August 2010.
Bale stated that Cristiano Ronaldo was his most talented teammate and the greatest player in Real Madrid's history. Pep Guardiola is the best coach of all time, while Dennis Bergkamp's turn and finish against Newcastle United is the greatest goal in Premier League history.
