Imagine a football era without the enduring dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Would Gareth Bale be considered a worthy recipient of the Ballon d'Or in such a landscape. Throughout his career, did Bale ever reach a sustained period where he was unequivocally the world's best player? His incredible talent and impactful moments were undeniable, but consistency at that elite level is often debated.GarethBale BallondOr FootballDebate RealMadrid