The only thing Bale wins on is goal scoring and that’s because the role a wide player played was different in Giggs day. His job was to provide. Bale couldn’t do that to near the same standard.
Who is the greater player: Ryan Giggs vs Gareth Bale
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Giggs was a fantastic player from age 17 through to when he retired at 40. He was one of the best left wingers in the world for a long, long time. Then become a very good centre mid and reinvented his game after his pace went. Bale had a higher peak, with pace being a big part of his game. He's perhaps still capable of playing in high intensities at his age purely because he's not played anywhere near as many games in his career as Giggs and seems to be made of glass for the past 5 years. For me, Bale had a slightly higher ceiling in terms of output but Giggs all around game was far superior to Bale's and his performances over 23 years rarely dipped below a 7. So, for me it's Giggs.
I can assure you I've seen both players in their peak if that's your concern. As a United fan I've always liked Giggs and of course he's had some great individual performances, but nothing as impressive as Bale's 12/13 season to me.
Bale's assist rate is higher than Giggs. Bale destroyed Giggs in terms of goalscoring--scoring more goals in half as many games--whilst still exceeding him in assists per game. His role was not different, he just was a much better goalscorer on top of being a very good creator of chances. I am not sure how having more to your game does not make you a better player.
You have to remember he did this whilst spending significant time at lesser teams: Tottenham and Southampton. Giggs was at Manutd from the start to the end of his career, pretty much constantly being in, at least, a Champion's League level team.
It is nonsense that Bale wasn't a great creator of goals. His crossing was immaculate and he was a very good passer.
Firstly, I think the notion that Bale carried Wales to the semi finals in Euro 2016 is doing a huge disservice to the team as a whole. Sure, he was the cherry on top but it was Ramsey who was the standout player at the tournament and greatly missed in the semi. Other players like Allen consistently perform for Wales too, giving Bale the platform he needs to win matches. Bale did drive us to qualify though.
As for comparison to Giggs, one was a supreme athlete for a few years with remarkable ball striking ability and the other was a football genius for two decades.
Despite crossing paths, they are from different eras and their abilities point towards that.
Bale was faster (just) and more powerful but in terms of footballing ability, it’s Giggs hands down.
Anyone can have physical advantages at some point, but intelligence and skill will outlast it in the end.
As for comparison to Giggs, one was a supreme athlete for a few years with remarkable ball striking ability and the other was a football genius for two decades.
Despite crossing paths, they are from different eras and their abilities point towards that.
Bale was faster (just) and more powerful but in terms of footballing ability, it’s Giggs hands down.
Anyone can have physical advantages at some point, but intelligence and skill will outlast it in the end.
Football is all about g+a
Scholes wasn't that creative a player either. Didn't get enough assists for my liking.
Didnt assists only get counted mid way through Giggs career?
His ration he used is wrong so it’s possible he’s getting stats from only when the PL started counting.
Giggs’ assist ratio is 0.32, and that’s over 963 games. Phenomenal.
Indeed. Giggs just isn’t fashionable anymore.
The argument that he was not the main guy in the successful side is stupid. Funny enough this is the same argument used to discredit scholes and keane and are termed overrated. It's funny how most of our players from back then are termed overrated and yet it were them who kept on winning trophies while others around them who are massively rated haven't won the same amount of trophies.
Bale was more of a goal threat than Giggs but i think that is largely down to the roles they played and the era of football they came through in. Had Giggs came through in the last 10 year he would have most likely been a right sided wide forward. If Bale had came through in the early 90's he would have obviously been a left sided touchline hugging winger.
People can argue that Bale had a higher peak, and while i don't necessarily agree i can see the argument. In terms of consistency Giggs is way ahead.
Both great players but Giggs is comfortably better all round for me.
That surprises me, of all the arguments being made for each player. I would have thought there would be universal agreement that Giggs was much more technically gifted than bale. Just in terms of dribbling and passing alone it’s not close.
Giggs could do pretty much everything Bale is capable of but I wouldn’t say the opposite is true.
Im wondering how many actually seen much of Giggs in his prime during the 90’s going off some of these opinions.
People can argue that Bale had a higher peak, and while i don't necessarily agree i can see the argument. In terms of consistency Giggs is way ahead.
Both great players but Giggs is comfortably better all round for me.
That surprises me, of all the arguments being made for each player. I would have thought there would be universal agreement that Giggs was much more technically gifted than bale. Just in terms of dribbling and passing alone it’s not close.
Giggs could do pretty much everything Bale is capable of but I wouldn’t say the opposite is true.
Im wondering how many actually seen much of Giggs in his prime during the 90’s going off some of these opinions.
They didn’t keep assist stats throughout Giggs entire career.
Peak: Bale
Longevity: Giggs
Longevity: Giggs
Bale injuries prevented him being a British GOAT. He had more ability than Giggs as his wand of a foot was one of the best in the game but too many seasons cut short. He had a higher peak but oh well
Thanks to @Mrs SmokerRyan Giggs
This whole project started when I saw the post claiming that Giggs had astonishing 284 assists in his career. Surely, that's hogwash, with his goals, how could he be directly responsible for almost 25% of all United goals? Ridiculous. 100-150 at most I'd say. Didn't help that first two seasons I watched and counted the stats were 1992-93 and 1998-99. He had 5 and 7 in those.
Needless to say, I was dead wrong.
What an astonishing career for the most decorated player in MUFC & English football history. I'd say he was the best United player ever. It was popular on Cafe to say that Giggs never reached the highs Bale did for instance. I'll never agree with that. Especially after watching and re-watching his career in the past month or so. Skilled and fast, a real menace to opponents. And he did it for 20+ seasons.
Fair enough, I forgot about that. The stats I used were these: 927 games and 247 assists (0.26 assists per game). I am guessing these are wrong then?
Edit: I just checked the Premier League website and it has assist numbers dated back to 1992-93 season. I am guessing these have been added later on.
Premier League site has 162 assists in 632 games. (0.26 assists per game, so in line with above). I don't think I can get the total across all competitions, but it cannot be too far out.
Bale has 0.27 assists per game, so it is not a major difference.
-Bale has what, 4-5 full seasons of professional play in the last 8-9 years? It's not even an argument.
Peak season doesn't make a player better than the other.
Peak season doesn't make a player better than the other.
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Just look at the post above yours. 310 assists in 963 appearances (0.32), it's a good bit of difference especially when you consider he's played double the amount of games. Bale also played the majority of his peak years with one of the best goalscorers of all time by his side.
Yeah of course, Suarez was better than Bale in the PL.
These comparisons always go the same way. No matter what heights a player reaches, and whether Ryan Giggs ever reaches that height - Giggs is always better because ‘he played until 40’.
I like to differentiate between ‘better’ and ‘greater’ personally, but in this case - it is arguable that Giggs even wins on that front. Bale has won multiple Champions Leagues, won PL Player of the year, and was instrumental for his country in a major tournament. Giggs was a better dribbler. He has nothing else on Bale for me. Apart from playing until 40, although Bale has not retired yet himself anyway.
I like to differentiate between ‘better’ and ‘greater’ personally, but in this case - it is arguable that Giggs even wins on that front. Bale has won multiple Champions Leagues, won PL Player of the year, and was instrumental for his country in a major tournament. Giggs was a better dribbler. He has nothing else on Bale for me. Apart from playing until 40, although Bale has not retired yet himself anyway.
No, it's not even close, is it?
These stats are still apparently wrong but the point is Giggs has these numbers after 20 years! When Bale retires his stats wont touch Giggs.
You also think Sadio Mane is better
Do people believe Giggs is the best wide man in the last 25years?
Above Figo,Nedved & Robben?
Above Figo,Nedved & Robben?
Pogba was better than Scholes as well!You also think Sadio Mane is better
You don’t need to tell me what I think. You know that because I told you. So what?You also think Sadio Mane is better
Well, it proves you either have some dislike of Giggs or have no clue. Maybe both.
Naturally. Always the caf conclusion to a differing view, due to cognitive processing of a 10 year old.
When we talk about the players' peaks, it is worth noting that Giggs didn't have "one peak". He had "multiple peaks". The longevity and flexibility to reinvent himself really puts him in a unique class of his own.
That goal against Barca is a poor mans version of Giggs against arsenal...team under pressure, wins the game on his own
Bale’s goal against United at Old Trafford would have been a better comparison. Ran through the defence and finished with weaker foot too.
Giggs didn't merely play till 40. He performed superbly till he was nearly 40. Bale has looked cooked for nearly two years. And that isn't the only argument in his favour. Most are claiming that he's the better all round footballer which he is. Bale is a great impact player but his general play is mediocre by the standards of top players. People want to ignore that entirely and focus only on goals and assists then sure but others do give importance to passing abilty, play along ability, longevity, close control, ability in tight spaces, tracking back etc
Bale is a very good player but overrated among the British. Someone here said he could have been the English goat. Come on now. Even in the modern generation, he was never going to surpass someone like Rooney let alone the likes of Sir Bobby. He doesn't have the all round game for it. One of the great impact players, sure.
I agree that Giggs was technically better but I think if you see the whole package, Bale has more to offer than him. I'm not a big fan of Bale's play style, personally, but can't deny that he utilized his skill set and physical attributes exceptionally well for a few years and at a few very important occasions (e.g. CL final against Liverpool).
Very hard for me to put Bale above Giggs, the latter is the most decorated footballer in British football history.
And a mainstay in the starting 11 for his club, completing 22 seasons!!
Over 1000 games played for Giggs, yet Bale can’t stay fit for barely a single season.
I’m from Cardiff and it’s fair to say the non United supporters here laud Bale more than Giggsy for their respective international careers. A LOT resent Giggs lack of commitment to the intl side and you appreciate that.
That said when all is said and done Giggsy is a complete legend and giant of the PL era, the type we won’t see the like of again in the modern game.
I do often wonder what could have been for Bale if he were luckier with injuries and if he had benefitted from having Sir Alex as a manager like Ryan did from such a young age.
And a mainstay in the starting 11 for his club, completing 22 seasons!!
Over 1000 games played for Giggs, yet Bale can’t stay fit for barely a single season.
I’m from Cardiff and it’s fair to say the non United supporters here laud Bale more than Giggsy for their respective international careers. A LOT resent Giggs lack of commitment to the intl side and you appreciate that.
That said when all is said and done Giggsy is a complete legend and giant of the PL era, the type we won’t see the like of again in the modern game.
I do often wonder what could have been for Bale if he were luckier with injuries and if he had benefitted from having Sir Alex as a manager like Ryan did from such a young age.
On here most likely. But then Martial is better than Kane for some posters on here. There is a lot of bias, understandably, it is a MUFC message forum.
Go ask the OP's question over on the Spurs forums and check the results, id be surprised if Giggs gets much of a look in. This question needs to be asked on a more neutral platform to gauge any real answer, like a Welsh football forum or something, one that is not Spurs or MUFC affiliated.
Totally agree, I'm not a fan if Bale either, and I think his contribution in Euro16 is overhyped by many. In terms of attributes, Bale was second best to Giggs in many aspects. But speaking of peak, he stepped up and literally carried the team single-handedly plenty of times in the 12/13 season, in which his teammates were pretty average.
In contrast, Giggs was more like a supportive player than the main man, despite he had some excellent individual performances that some suggested. Of course it's arguable whether Giggs could also be the main man if required, but it's hypothetical.
Hahahahaha
Some Argentinians will go for Tevez over Messi. Doesn't mean that they're correct.