Two names, two players, and two clubs. In 2013, the footballing world witnessed a seismic shift as Neymar, from Brazil, joined Barcelona to help create an ultimate attacking force, while on the other side Gareth Bale moved to Real Madrid for €100 million euros, shattering multiple transfer records at the time. Both players joined rival sides with one shared goal: to conquer the world of football.
São Paulo was the place where Neymar’s rise began. His flair, technical ability, and creativity caught the eye of Brazilian giants Santos. At just 17 years of age, Neymar announced himself to the world, and in 2011 he became the youngest player to win the South American Footballer of the Year award after leading Santos to Copa Libertadores glory.
Brazilian fans saw Neymar as the next Pelé, a player destined to inherit the crown. Even Pelé himself spoke highly of the young forward, saying, “Neymar can win anything and make Brazil proud again.” Neymar also finished 10th in the 2011 Ballon d’Or rankings, a remarkable achievement considering he was still playing outside Europe with Santos FC.
On the other hand, Gareth Bale, emerging from the valleys of Wales, was also growing steadily and consistently into one of the most prominent names in world football. Initially deployed as a left-back, Bale’s raw pace, fierce dribbling, and sharp movement soon transformed him into one of the most dangerous wingers in Europe. Bale began his footballing journey at Southampton’s academy, where he developed his foundations. However, the match that truly announced him to the world came in 2010, when Bale, playing at left-back for Tottenham Hotspur against Inter Milan, produced a sensational performance and went on to score a remarkable hat-trick.
The dream move:
Gareth Bale secured his dream move to Real Madrid in 2013 for a then record-breaking transfer fee of €100 million. Just a month earlier, Neymar had also completed his long-awaited move to Barcelona for a fee of €86.2 million. Fast forward to 2024: Neymar has struggled with inconsistency and recurring injuries and is now playing for Al Hilal, while Gareth Bale has already retired from professional football. Yet the question still remains, who was the better player: Bale or Neymar?
Neymar scored 15 goals and provided 11 assists in his very first season with Barcelona. He took responsibility, delivered in big games, and possessed the ability to turn matches around single-handedly. Neymar became a defining figure for his generation, a player who made people fall in love with football through his flair and creativity.
Meanwhile, Gareth Bale registered 22 goals and 16 assists in his debut season at Real Madrid. Bale enjoyed immediate success, winning the Copa del Rey after scoring the iconic solo goal against Barcelona in the final, and also lifted the UEFA Champions League with Madrid.
Following this, Neymar won the Confederations Cup with Brazil, which helped him finish fifth in the Ballon d’Or rankings, while Gareth Bale placed eighth.
The 2014–15 season then became a direct clash between two attacking powerhouses: MSN vs BBC. Neymar delivered a sensational campaign, scoring 39 goals and providing 10 assists as Barcelona won the historic treble. He produced several iconic performances throughout the season and even scored in the Champions League final.
Gareth Bale, on the other hand, faced a relatively difficult season. He scored 17 goals and provided 12 assists, while still managing to win the Club World Cup with Real Madrid. At the end of the campaign, Neymar finished seventh in the Ballon d’Or rankings, while Bale placed twelfth.
The 2015–16 season was a story of redemption versus consistency. Neymar enjoyed another outstanding campaign, scoring 31 goals and providing 27 assists. He won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey with Barcelona and finished third in the Ballon d’Or rankings, marking the peak of his career. Meanwhile, Gareth Bale’s 2015–16 season was truly about redemption. He played a vital role in Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League triumph, delivering crucial performances on the biggest stage.
The 2016–17 season once again brought injuries and inconsistency for Bale, although it was also the period when Real Madrid began their historic run of three consecutive Champions League titles. Neymar, on the other hand, continued to shine for Barcelona. He played a central role in the iconic 6–1 comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and remained one of the team’s key attacking forces. On the international stage, Neymar won Olympic gold with Brazil, while Bale carried Wales to the semi-finals of the European Championship with a series of immense performances.
At the end of the season, Neymar finished fifth in the Ballon d’Or rankings, with Bale close behind in sixth place.
In the 2017–18 season, Gareth Bale once again bounced back, scoring 21 goals and providing seven assists. He played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s Champions League triumph and famously scored against Liverpool in the final. Meanwhile, Neymar Jr shocked the footballing world by completing a move to Paris Saint-Germain for a record-breaking transfer fee of €222 million. He went on to dominate Ligue 1, registering 28 goals and 16 assists for PSG during the season. Neymar finished third in the Ballon d’Or rankings once again and completed a domestic treble with the French club.
From 2018 to 2023, both Neymar and Gareth Bale experienced a period of decline, largely due to persistent injuries. Bale began to struggle for regular minutes as emerging stars like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo took centre stage at Real Madrid. He was also loaned back to Tottenham Hotspur for a season, a move that ultimately failed to revive his career. Despite this, Bale went on to win another UEFA Champions League in his final year at Real Madrid, finishing his career as a five-time Champions League winner. During the same period, Neymar continued to collect domestic honours with Paris Saint-Germain, winning multiple Ligue 1 titles and cup competitions. He also led PSG to their first-ever Champions League final in the 2019–20 season, though they ultimately fell short of lifting the trophy. After that campaign, Neymar suffered a series of recurring injuries, which gradually contributed to the decline of his career.
Conclusion:
Both Gareth Bale and Neymar are the all-time top goalscorers for their respective nations. Bale scored 41 goals for Wales, while Neymar surpassed Pelé’s record to score 79 goals for Brazil. Bale’s greatest international achievement came when he carried Wales to qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a historic moment for the nation.
For Neymar, however, there is still one final chapter left to write: The 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As I explained in my video, “Career-wise, Bale was the better player. But as a footballer, as an influential and iconic figure, there is nobody who comes close to Neymar Jr.”
Do check out the video:
