Redknapp backs Bale to become best in the world

Redknapp managed Bale at Tottenham, and brought the Welshman to White Hart Lane from Southampton in 2008.

The former Spurs boss believes that Bale has improved mentally which has helped him become a stronger player and person.

"I just think he changed," Redknapp told the 'Daily Mail'. "He grew up, he got stronger. He used to get a little knock in training and every day he'd limp off.

"He was still only a kid. But he wasn't a streetwise kid who had come from a really tough background round here [in east London]. He'd come from a lovely background. He just got tougher mentally".

Redknapp famously moved Bale from left-back to the left-wing and then later to the right-wing where he could cut inside and play more freely, something that helped Bale become the star he is today.

"You free him off and off he goes," Bale's ex-boss said.

"He has everything. He's good in the air, he's 6ft 2in, a great big fella. He has power - over short distance he's lightening quick - he can run long distances, he can dribble, he can shoot. He can pretty much do everything.

"He's a world figure, he's up there. When he went to Real Madrid, I said he's behind Messi and Ronaldo - but now he's up there in the top six players in the world, for sure. Now all he has to do is knock those two off their perch and claim the top spot".