Tottenham midfielder makes huge Gareth Bale claim – is he right?

Christian Eriksen believes Gareth Bale “is very, very close” to the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The current and former Tottenham stars will go head-to-head in the UEFA Nations League on Friday night as Wales take on Denmark at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Bale has won four Champions League titles since leaving Spurs for Real Madrid in 2013, while Eriksen has been linked with a move to La Liga in recent months.

Ahead of Friday night’s encounter, Eriksen heaped praise on Bale.

“He’s a top, top player. Nobody in the world is the same as Messi or Ronaldo, but he’s in a group who are very, very close behind them,” said the Dane (via the Independent).

“He has been playing at Real Madrid for a long time now and he has done very well there. Even to ask the question about how he compares to Messi or Ronaldo shows he is up there.

“Bale is someone who can always give them something extra. He does it in any team he plays for.

“He is very quick, very direct, and he is always guaranteed for a few goals. International football is all about getting goals, and he does that.”

As good as it is, Bale’s goal record pales in comparison to that of both Messi and Ronaldo.

But Bale has a tendency to show up on the big occasions, as proved by his stunning overhead kick against Liverpool in last season’s Champions League final.

Every summer there are rumblings of a possible return to Tottenham for Bale, but a move doesn’t seem to be forthcoming.

The 29-year-old remains injury prone and would represent a huge risk for Spurs, particularly with the amount of money the Londoners would have to part ways with.