No hatred between Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo says the Welshman's agent

Jonathan Barnett believes Gareth Bale can overtake Cristiano Ronaldo in a few years

Gareth Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett feels his star still has some distance to go to overtake Cristiano Ronaldo, but will become the best in a few years, according to the Mirror. Barnett was the man responsible for getting Bale to Real Madrid, and in the process broke a record Ronaldo held for being the most expensive player in footballing history.

While the 65-year-old is not known for interacting with the media, he takes immense pride in securing Bale’s £80 million switch to Madrid and made sure to remind Jorge Mendes – the man who represents Cristiano Ronaldo and also regarded as the world’s most powerful agent – that he was the man responsible for the deal.

Since Bale’s move to Madrid, he and Ronaldo have not been able to consistently link up with each other, as at times they look like the best pair, and at other times they are worlds apart.

The 26-year old received some bad reception from the crowd last season, where they were constantly seen booing him. The crowd’s attitude towards the former Tottenham player even fueled rumors that the Welshman might leave Santiago Bernabeu this year.

Barnett though believes that the criticism was mostly due to Ronaldo’s status as a cult hero rather than Bale’s poor performance.

He said: "I think that the new guard is coming and there’s some resentment, perhaps, to that. But I think things will change. I’ve always said it, I think he’ll be the best player in the world in the next couple of years."

There’s no hatred between Bale and Ronaldo

While speaking with the Guardian, he went on to describe the duo’s different lifestyles among several other things.

"They don’t go out eating every night together, but it’s fine. There’s no hatred there,” he said. “Gareth is a quiet guy. They’re complete opposites. But I think Gareth can learn a little bit from Ronaldo as well, interacting maybe a little bit.

“But he wants his own life and he lives it. Gareth is a great footballer, he doesn’t want anything more. He has some very good endorsements but his whole life is to be the best footballer in the world. I don’t think he wants to be the best model in the world or the best underwear seller. That’s not him.”

The super agent also represents players like Joe Hart of Manchester City, Adam Lallana of Liverpool, Luke Shaw from Manchester United and several top players in Germany, Holland and other countries.