Bale is no CR7 or Messi -Van der Vaart

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AFP

The Welshman's move to the Santiago Bernabeu came as a surprise to his ex-Spurs colleague, who says he does not have the same quality as the world's best players. 

Rafael van der Vaart says he never expectedReal Madrid to sign Gareth Bale and has described Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as "suffocating".

Attacking midfielder Van der Vaart played with Madrid forward Bale during his time at Tottenham. The Dutchman left White Hart Lane for Hamburg in 2012, with Bale moving to the Santiago Bernabeu for a world-record transfer fee in September 2013.

Bale has enjoyed success with Madrid, winning the Champions League, Copa del Rey, Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup with the club.

However, Bale was criticised for his performances last season and has been limited to just seven appearances so far this campaign due to injuries.

And, in an interview with Canal Plus, Van der Vaart said: "I never thought Bale would end up playing at Madrid. Bale isn't like [Cristiano] Ronaldo or [Lionel] Messi; that's another level."

Asked about his move from Madrid to Tottenham, which came three months after Mourinho's appointment as coach, Van der Vaart added: "Mourinho is a very good coach; he's suffocating, but he knows what he wants.

"He told me they were going to sign [Mesut] Ozil and that it was best that I left for another team in England or wherever."

Credit -Goal