Casemiro Picks Gareth Bale Over Ronaldo as Most Complete
Casemiro put gareth bale ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo when asked for the most complete player he ever played with. The Manchester United midfielder still called Ronaldo the best, but he drew a line between the two after Rio Ferdinand pressed him on the comparison.
Casemiro And Rio Ferdinand
Casemiro and Ferdinand discussed the players he had shared a pitch with at Real Madrid, and the exchange landed on one of football’s longest-running debates. The midfielder’s answer landed with extra force because he had also played with Ronaldinho and Neymar for Brazil, giving him a wider frame of reference than most.
He did not hedge on Ronaldo’s status. Casemiro said, "Cristiano, everyone knows, we start the season with 50 goals. Minimum. You start the season with 50 goals. Cristiano is the best. Cristiano is the best. Cristiano is another one. Take Cristiano out of the conversation. Cristiano is not in the conversation."
Bale’s All-Field Case
The split in Casemiro’s view was clear: Ronaldo was the best, but Bale was the most complete. The deciding factor in his mind was Bale’s ability to be effective in both thirds, while Ronaldinho, Neymar and Ronaldo were described as sensational in the final third.
That distinction is what turns the comment into more than a simple compliment. Bale was not picked because of one spectacular skill; he was picked because Casemiro judged him to carry more of the game than the pure finishers in the conversation.
Ronaldo Stays In The Debate
The comment fits into the debate around two former Real Madrid teammates who were often measured against each other in different ways. Casemiro’s answer drew attention precisely because he had played with both men and chose to separate the best player from the most complete one.
For readers following the argument, the takeaway is straightforward: Casemiro’s hierarchy starts with Ronaldo at the top for pure quality, then places Bale at the top for all-round game. That leaves the comparison settled inside one quote, not in speculation around it.
