Greatest British player? Comparing Gareth Bale & Wayne Rooney’s career records
There’s no denying that Gareth Bale and Wayne Rooney are two of Britain’s greatest-ever players, but how do their records stack up against each other?
Rooney had a glistening career in the Premier League and is Manchester United’s all-time top goalscorer with 253 goals. He is also England’s highest-ever scoring player with 53 goals on the international stage.
He was an integral part of Man United’s success under Sir Alex Ferguson and won 16 trophies during his stay at Old Trafford, including five league titles.
“For me he was the best centre-forward I ever saw at Manchester United and ever played with,” Gary Neville told Sky Sports.
“In and out of possession, in the dressing room, the energy every single morning. He was an absolute livewire, street fighter, tough, score goals, assist goals, the best defender, never give in.”
🗣"For me he was the best centre-forward I ever saw at Manchester United and played with"
Gary Neville on Wayne Rooney retiring from football to manage Derby County and his legacy at Manchester United @GNev2 | @WayneRooney pic.twitter.com/dxEceVqSQk
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 18, 2021
Bale himself recently announced his retirement from football after a sparkling 17-year career. The Welshman started his career with Southampton and was soon picked up by Tottenham in 2007.
At first, Bale took some time to adapt to the Premier League, but as soon as he found his feet, he never looked back. A two-time PFA Players’ Player of the Year winner, Bale could do everything.
His career especially took off when he made a world-record move over to Real Madrid in the summer of 2013. Bale went on to win 16 trophies with the Spanish club, including five Champions League titles.
Now that both players have hung up their boots, we’ve compared their record from throughout their careers and you can make the judgment on who is better.
Wayne Rooney
Club (Everton, Man United, DC United, Derby County)
Games: 764
Starts: 665
Sub appearances: 99
Goals: 313
Assists: 170
Penalties scored: 41
Minutes per goal: 192.1
Minutes per non-penalty goal:Â 221.0
Minutes per goal or assist:Â 124.5
Country (England)
Games: 120
Starts: 109
Sub appearances: 11
Goals: 53
Assists: 21
Penalties scored: 7
Minutes per goal: 169.7
Minutes per non-penalty goal:Â 195.5
Minutes per goal or assist:Â 121.5
Honours Won
5 x Premier League, FA Cup, 3 x EFL Cup, 4 x Community Shield, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, FIFA Club World Cup
Best. Derby. Goal.
Ever!@WayneRooney #MUFC pic.twitter.com/AX2lENFFv2— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 10, 2017
Gareth Bale
Club (Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Los Angeles FC)
Games: 554
Starts: 461
Sub appearances: 93
Goals:Â 186
Assists: 137
Penalties scored:Â 5
Minutes per goal:Â 219.4
Minutes per non-penalty goal: 225.5
Minutes per goal or assist:Â 126.3
Country (Wales)
Games: 111
Starts: 99
Sub appearances: 12
Goals:Â 40
Assists: 22
Penalties scored: 7
Minutes per goal:Â 215.2
Minutes per non-penalty goal:Â 260.8
Minutes per goal or assist:Â 138.8
Honours Won
3 x La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana, 5 x UEFA Champions League, 3 x UEFA Super Cup, 3 x FIFA Club World Cup, MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield
🚲⚽💥 @GarethBale11’s overhead kick in the Champions League final has been nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award 2018! #RMUCL pic.twitter.com/48xQBEn7HB
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 3, 2018
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