Bale – More to come

Tottenham wide-man Gareth Bale insists there is more to come despite claims he is already a world superstar.

The 21-year-old Welsh wizard has been compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in recent months after some fine performances in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

Fitness permitting, Bale will come face-to-face with Ronaldo next week when Spurs take on Real Madrid in Europe’s elite club competition, with a showdown first leg in the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

The left-sided winger admits that he has been in great form this season but claims he can up his performance even further.

“This is probably the best that I have played in my career but there is a lot more to come,” he said in The Sun.

“I have a lot more to learn and I keep working hard in training and games, try things, and I just want to improve.

“There is everything to learn, a lot, too much to explain. There is a lot to learn. I am still young.”

Asked if he sees himself as a world star, Bale remarked: “I don’t think that. You do. So no, not yet. You say those things, not me.

“If you look at the likes of Messi and Ronaldo those are the levels that you want to be getting to.”

Belief

He added: “I have always believed in what I could do, I just needed to be given the chance to play week in week out at Tottenham.

“I always believed that if did get that chance, I would improve as a player. If you play every week, there is no better way to learn than that. I have learn new things every week.

“I don’t really feel the weight of expectation. It’s just a part of growing up really.

“I went there at 17 and moving to London at that age is difficult. You just grow up and mature mentally so it was just a matter of time. That’s showing on the pitch now.”

Ahead of the crunch clash in Madrid next week, having already played twice in the San Siro this term, Bale is adamant nothing can faze him.

“I am never daunted. I take everything as another game,” he said.

“One you step out onto the pitch you only think about giving 100 per cent, not where you are or who.

“Obviously Inter Milan and AC Milan were big occasions but if you look at it, you can’t afford to dwell on things and get nervous as you will go in the wrong direction.”