Gareth Bale can become the world's best - Rafa Benítez
The former Real Madrid boss told the Sunday People: "In a couple years if he carries on, I don’t see any reason why he could not be regarded as the best."
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale can go on to become the best player in the world, according to former Bernabeú boss Rafa Benítez.
The Welshman worked under Benítez during the 55-year-old's short-lived, seven-month stint in the Madrid dugout, which came to an end when he was replaced by Zinedine Zidane in January.
Last week, Benítez was critical of Real president Florentino Pérez as he looked back on his tenure at Los Blancos, telling BT Sport: "Barcelona have won more than double the trophies Real have in the time Pérez is there."
But in comments published by UK newspaper the Sunday People at the weekend, the Spaniard only had words of praise for forward Bale.
"I never had a moment’s problem with Gareth. He was a very solid professional who listened," Benítez said. "He did his work on the pitch and in the gym too."
He continued: "But what I see in him most is improvement. There are areas of his game that he continues to work on. He can get better."
And the ex-Liverpool manager concluded: "Obviously, he’s a very good player now. But in a couple years if he carries on, I don’t see any reason why he could not be regarded as the best."