But it's about positions surely? Who is a better out and out winger than Bale? Ronaldo definitely. But that's about it.
Obviously some others are arguably better footballers, but if you made a world XI and needed a true left-sided winger, I think that you'd be pick Bale.
As a winger Bale can easily be marked out of games and his dribbling is awful. Ronaldo would easily be the better of the two but he hasn't played as a winger for a long time. Since he moved to Madrid he's continued to improve/evolve but for some reason his dribbling has got worse.
When people talk about who is the best player its only fair to compare those that play in the same position. Its only the best of the best, those that on a different level to everyone else and are proven that can be compared to regardless of their position IMO.
Bale is the best left sided wide forward in the league, he is nowhere near world class. The form he is displaying now isn't new per se, he's flirted with similar in the past two seasons but for various reasons was non existent during the second half of the season. This season everything about Spurs is different and I expect him in particular to maintain his form, this would be his first full season where he's been the talisman for the team. One good season doesn't mean your one of the best in the world. He has to show consistency whilst still improving his game and (on occasion) making those around him better although that's difficult when you have to play with forwards that don't anticipate well and don't play with their head up.
If I were to compare Bale to another player, not by attributes but in terms of how both have or are developing it would be Rolls Reus. IMO he's ahead of Bale, he was excellent last season, developed his overall game, became a talisman and now he's playing at a level where Dortmund don't miss Kagawa (and he was brilliant for them).
I'd also put Hazard and some others ahead of Bale too. When I say this to some Spurs fans they think I'm crazy and some even go as far as to question whether I'm actually a Spurs fan. Peronsally I LOVE players that are fantastic dribblers its one of the reasons why I'd place Ronaldinho ahead of Cristiano and Messi and I'm desperate for Bale to improve his dribbling. Lennon used to be a very good dribbler when Moniz was the skills coach under Jol but whilst AVB has improved him a lot this season, his dribbling hasn't been good for many years.
@ Bebo I expect us to finish above you lot and unlike many Spurs fans, I still believe that 3rd is a realistic aim too. Aiming for fourth is horrible, weak mentality that must die. Barca, Juve and Bayern don't play in the EPL, there is nothing to be afraid of in this league.