Rio Ferdinand: 'People comparing Gareth Bale to Cristiano Ronaldo are clueless'

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand accuses those comparing Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale to La Liga stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as clueless.

Some have claimed that the 23-year-old is close to the heights of Ronaldo and Messi, who are regarded as the two best players in world football, due to his prolific form at White Hart Lane.

Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "People mentioning Bale in the same breath as ‪@Cristiano‬ + Messi really don't know football! Bale been 1 of best 2 in PL this year but...He is not on CR7 + Messi's level yet...he carries on doing what he is doing for 2/3yrs then there can be a debate.

"Bale showed me a clean pair of heals once this year so I'm in good position to judge! CR7 + Messi have been on another planet for 4-5yrs ‪#consistent‬."

Meanwhile, reports have claimed that Real Madrid are willing to splash £70m on the winger.