Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale has the chance to finish the calendar year at the 2016 Ballon d'Or ceremony by being named the best player in the world. That is, according to the winger's former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.
"Bale has everything," Redknapp is quoted as saying by Marca.
"He's great in the air, is strong, can run long distances and has a venomous shot."
Redknapp is the man credited with kickstarting Bale's career by moving him into a more advanced role after the young Welsh international had been struggling to establish himself as a left-back.
The veteran coach oversaw Bale's breakout season in 2010/11 and now believes the 26-year-old is ready to challenge the very best players in the world for the top honours.
"When Gareth joined Real Madrid, I said I he was behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but now all he has to do is claim his place at the top," Redknapp commented.
"I think he could win [the Ballon d'Or] this year if he has a good Champions League."
Bale will play up to six moregames for Real in the Champions League between now and the end of the year, with the cup holders kicking off their campaign with a home game against Portugal's Sporting CP at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Already in 2016, Bale has collected a Champions League winner's medal, the second of his career after an all-important assist in the final itself, and powered Wales through to an unlikely appearance in the Euro semi-finals.
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