The midfielder was once a defiant hanger-on at cash-rich Manchester City, but his star has fallen dramatically since leaving the Etihad
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Ten years ago to the day, Gareth Bale took to the field in Dublin to play for Wales against the Republic of Ireland in a European Championship qualification game.
Still a Southampton player and only 17 years of age, Bale’s career was very much in its infancy, but his potential was certainly no secret and he was widely earmarked as a future star. However, despite the intrigue surrounding the precocious Cardiff native, another young talent stole the show on that historic day at Croke Park.