Why Gareth Bale's Ahead of Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar and Rooney

Gareth Bale on top after hat-trick in Real v. Deportivo match. Credit: Reuters

Gareth Bale is head and shoulders above the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic this season – and that’s official.

While the Wales talisman is renowned for his pace and magic wand of a left foot, it’s his heading ability which has seen him climb above the rest.

Going into this weekend’s round of matches, the Real Madrid star is sitting on top the table of headed goals in Europe’s big five leagues.

Bale’s two headers which formed part of his hat-trick in Real’s 5-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna took his total to six in La Liga so far this campaign – leaving the rest of the continent’s big names trailing.

Barcelona duo Messi and Neymar (admittedly not renowned headers of the ball) have yet to net with their heads, with Manchester United’s Rooney also drawing a blank.

Zlatan has just the one headed goal to his credit for Paris St Germain, while Bale’s Real teammate Ronaldo has two, joined by the likes of Luis Suarez (Barcelona), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Jamie Vardy (Leicester) and Edinson Cavani (PSG) on that number.

The 26-year-old Bale, who also scored two headers to help Wales into the Euro 2016 finals, faces his biggest challenge from the Premier League, with Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud having nodding in five and Romelu Lukaku, of Everton, with four. The Toffees’ striker is joined on the mark by Ligue 1 Angers’ Cheikh N’Doye, the Senegal striker reportedly a target for West Brom.

Those on three include Bale’s Real teammate Karim Benzema, Anthony Modeste (Cologne), Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Leonardo Pavoletti (Genoa) and Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann. [Source]