Wales manager Ryan Giggs has hailed Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale as the best player his country has ever produced.
Bale came off the bench to put in a match-winning performance in the Champions League final on Saturday, scoring twice in a 3-1 victory including one of the all-time great European goals.
The likes of John Charles, Ian Rush and Giggs himself are in the argument for the tag of Wales's greatest ever player, but the former Manchester United winger believes that Bale is the best he has ever seen.
"He's the greatest Welsh player I've seen. Obviously I didn't see John Charles play and many others around that time. But great players turn up at the right moments and make the difference, and he's done it twice now in Champions League finals," Giggs told reporters.
"And to win four, to go to Real Madrid, and be so successful, he's got to be [the best]. The team and all the staff were watching and when it went in the room erupted. They were amazing scenes and it was great all the team could watch it and celebrate it together.
"It was one of those goals when you just go 'wow' and up there as one of the best Champions League or European Cup goals ever. It was an amazing impact, but you're not that surprised in one respect because of what Gareth is capable of and what he's already achieved."
Bale is Wales's all-time leading goalscorer, netting 29 times in 70 appearances for his country.
Barney Corkhill
