Gareth Bale: The real player and man by those who know him best

“Since he moved to Real Madrid there has always been talk around him and it has never once affected his performances for Wales. So in terms of handling that attention and the pressure, I think his career would prove it does not bother him in the slightest.

“When you are talking about the really good players, the elite players, they enjoy having that attention and thinking they are a big part of the team doing well. Results and stats would prove he enjoys having that leadership role.

“He has reached 100 caps despite there having been times for Wales when you’ve not seen him for a long period of time because of injury.

“If you asked people their favourite Gareth Bale goal or moment or performance you would probably get a lot of different answers, which proves time after time he has turned up for his country and produced.

“For fans to have somebody at that level of being a superstar, that wants to come and do everything he can to go on the pitch to perform is massive.

“When he does get there I am sure he will be proud and when he finishes playing football and looks back, getting to 100 caps will be a huge deal for him.

“He would have to be the greatest Welsh player in terms of what I have seen personally and some of the things he has done. I have been privileged to have been on the same pitch sometimes seeing that.

“Gareth has led the country, carrying the burden pretty much, probably, along with Aaron Ramsey.

“We could come back in 100 years and you probably won’t find a Welshman who has achieved what he has in the game, in terms of all the records he has broken and the trophies he has won.

“I don’t think his goal record for Wales will be broken for a long, long time and he will probably add to that by a good few by the time he finishes. So everything you talk about leads you down the road of him being the greatest.

“I just hope we have all fully appreciated what we have had on our hands, playing with him, watching him, supporting him or reporting on him.

“For somebody like that to play for Wales is the greatest thing. And the thing is, he still has a lot more to achieve for Wales. Enjoy him for however long he is playing and pulling on the Welsh shirt.”