Bale revealed that his pace and skill was not down to any specific coaching, though he credits his PE teacher with making his right foot stronger by preventing him from using his left. And he insists that former Southampton team mate Theo Walcott is even faster than he is.

"Is there anyone faster than me in football - well Theo Walcott at Arsenal for one. I used to room with him when we were both teenagers at Southampton and he is definitely quicker than me. We're good mates and I keep in contact with Theo regularly. But yes, he'd beat me in a race."