GARETH BALE is back at Tottenham – and ten years ago today he enjoyed a stunning night under the lights with Spurs.
The Welsh winger smashed an incredible hat-trick in a Champions League clash against Inter Milan.
However, despite the one-man show, Spurs still fell to a 4-3 defeat.
Inter were seemingly home and hosed at 4-0 up, with Spurs reeling after keeper Heurelho Gomes was sent off.
But Bale had other ideas. His first came after a 50-yard run before firing past Julio Cesar in goal.
His second was almost a carbon copy, that time leaving veteran Javier Zanetti toiling behind, before he later slammed home a powerful third.
After a trophy-laden spell in Spain with Real Madrid, Bale is now back in North London, but what happened to his team-mates that night in Italy? SunSport finds out…
Gareth Bale is back at Spurs and hoping to dazzle in the Premier League againCredit: AFP or licensors
GK – Heurelho Gomes
The Brazilian retired in the summer after Watford were relegated to the Championship.
His time at Spurs was lathered were clangers in goal – and of course he was sent-off that breathtaking night in Milan back in 2010.
But the 39-year-old will be remembered as a cult hero at Watford, and was in floods of tears when he realised it was time to say goodbye.
Heurelho Gomes retired after Watford were relegated last seasonCredit: AFP
RB – Alan Hutton
Probably didn’t get the credit he deserved throughout his career. Hutton was the original roving full-back.
Nicknamed the ‘Scottish Cafu’, Hutton retired aged 35 in February with his last club being Aston Villa.
Alan Hutton coined the nickname the ‘Scottish Cafu’ after the brilliant Brazilian right-backCredit: PA:Press Association
LB – Benoit Assou-Ekotto
The 36-year-old Cameroonian was as honest as they come, once admitting he didn’t like football and was only in the game for the money.
At his best he was a decent attacking option from the back. At his worst he mistimed tackles and lacked positional awareness.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto admitted he was only in football for the moneyCredit: PA:Empics Sport
CB – Sebastien Bassong
Bassong played for SIX English clubs – the last being his one-game spell with Peterborough United.
Most of his club appearances came with Norwich City, where he showed at times the potential that earmarked him as a future star when Newcastle brought him over in 2008.
Although not officially retired, the 34-year-old hasn’t played since three appearances for Greek minnows Volos in 2019.
Sebastienn Bassong played for six clubs in EnglandCredit: PA:Empics Sport
CB – William Gallas
The 43-year-old hung up his boots in 2014 after winding down over in Australia with Perth Glory.
The Frenchman could be erratic, but on his day was a valuable asset, as Chelsea, Arsenal and then Spurs found.
William Gallas played for three London clubs in his time in EnglandCredit: PA:Empics Sport
CM – Tom Huddlestone
Huddlestone, still only 33, was released by his very first club Derby County in the summer, and has been linked with a move back to Hull.
A class midfielder in his time with Spurs, he perhaps lacked the mobility to become a great – but did manage to bag four caps for England.
Huddlestone is without a club at the moment, but not officially retiredCredit: PA:Empics Sport
CM – Jermaine Jenas
The 37-year-old is now impressing with his punditry skills on Match Of The Day and other BBC football programming.
Like Huddlestone, Jenas was a classy midfielder and made 21 appearances for England.
Jermaine Jenas, like team-mate Peter Crouch, is proving to be a big hit on the tellyCredit: PA:Press Association
AM – Luka Modric
The attacking midfielder is still at the top of his game with Real Madrid and Croatia.
Now 35, Modric can still thread that killer ball through. In his prime he was one of the very best in the world and thrived with Los Blancos.
He was as a key player in four Champions League wins and also bagged football’s top individual prize, the Ballon d’Or, in 2018.
Luka Modric is still impressing in LaLiga with Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty
RW – Aaron Lennon
Leeds-born Lennon is now plying his trade with Turkish club Kayserispor after leaving Burnley on a free at the end of last season.
A tricky winger, Lennon, 33, made 21 appearances for England and seemed to shun the limelight in his time in football.
Aaron Lennon is now plying his trade out in TurkeyCredit: PA:Empics Sport
LW – Gareth Bale
The Welsh wizard, 31, is back – although perhaps not the force of old.
Bombed out at Real Madrid, Spurs fans will be desperate to see Bale reach previous heights. If he does a front three of him with Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min is mouthwatering.
Gareth Bale will be hoping to perform like he did for Spurs all those years agoCredit: Action Images – Reuters
ST – Peter Crouch
Who knew Crouchy was so funny?!
The beanpole striker is now 39 and retired after leaving Burnley in 2019.
Crouch has reinvented himself as a TV comic, presenter and podcaster after hanging up his boots.
Peter Crouch is doing great things on TV after hanging up his bootsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Subs Used
GK – Carlo Cudicini
Brought on for Modric when Gomes was sent off after just eight minutes, Cudicini should be viewed as not just a decent second-choice stopper.
CM – Wilosn Palacios
One of Honduras’ best-ever exports, Palacios was impressive for Wigan in their Prem days that got Spurs interested.
However, he didn’t really affect games during his time at White Hart Lane. He last played for Olimpia in Paraguay in 2018.
ST – Robbie Keane
The most capped and record goalscorer for the Republic of Ireland, Keane scored goals wherever he went and was lethal in the box.
Retired from football with 393 career goals after a brief spell in India in 2018.
Manager – Harry Redknapp
One of the most likeable characters in the Beautiful Game, Redknapp, 74, is now enjoying retirement with his wife Sandra in Sandbanks.
Will have one big regret from his football career however – that he never managed England.
Harry Redknapp is one of the popular faces of football and is enjoying his retirementCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Gareth Bale is on the ball in Spurs training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
