Tottenham’s Bale is the Premier League’s Messi, says Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale has become the “Premier League’s Lionel Messi”.

The Wales international, who recently won the PFA player of the year and young player of the year, has scored a staggering 19 goals in 29 top-flight appearances from midfield this season.

Bale has been one of the driving forces behind Spurs’s bid to secure a Champions League spot, with his talismanic performances echoing Messi’s in La Liga.

Pochettino reckons Bale still has to improve further to match Messi’s consistent levels, but the Southampton manager has been impressed by the winger ahead of his side’s trip to White Hart Lane on Saturday.

“There are some similarities between Bale and Messi. There are similarities in the way they play and their characteristics,” said the Southampton manager.

“They are both very quick, both left-footed and they both have a winning mentality.

“It is clear Bale is very decisive in how his team plays, although maybe not as much as Messi.

“He is a very decisive player – an amazing player because of his speed, his strength and his goal-scoring ability. He has showed that throughout this season and I rate him very highly.

“He is in the top 10 players in the world. When we talk about the world’s best players they can play in any league in the world. In this context, Bale can succeed in La Liga but it would be a great loss to the Premier League if he goes.”