In their football history, Wales have qualified for the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championships twice. In this sense, they have never been considered a significant force in the global football scene. However, the British nation has experienced great success in recent years. If you wager on football on the best betting sites in Nigeria for 2023, you’ll agree there is a resurgence in Welsh football. Currently, Wales are ranked 17th by FIFA globally.
We can attribute this rise toward the top to outstanding performances by Welsh players. The nation has continually produced talented footballers who have taken the world by storm. Here are five great Welsh players:
Gareth Bale
Position: Forward
Goals: 40
Caps: 108
Gareth Bale is arguably the most talented player Wales has produced this century. After his senior international debut in May 2006, aged 16, Bale did not look back. Bale started his career as a left-back before he was converted to one of the most lethal wingers in football.
In 2016 when Wales qualified for Euro 2016, Bale was the star player. He scored three goals in six games to help Wales reach the tournament’s semi-finals. Additionally, their performance at Euro 2016 elevated Bale to Wale’s all-time top scorer in major tournaments. He has since retired from football and kickstarted his golf career.
Chris Gunter
Position: Full-Back
Goals: 0
Caps: 109
Gunter is only 31 but is the most-capped Welsh player. This is probably because he started his international career early, aged 16, which made him the second youngest player to achieve that.
He made his international debut in May 2007 after playing his first full professional season with Cardiff City FC. After that, he became a consistent figure in the Welsh team for more than ten years.
He was Bale’s teammate in the Welsh team that reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals. He is a reliable attacking full-back and can play on either flank. Additionally, he is Wales’s captain in Bale’s absence.
Ian Rush
Position: Striker
Goals: 28
Caps: 73
Ian Rush is considered one of the best goal-scorers of the 20th century. Rush played his first international match aged 18 in May 1980. At the time, he had played in English football’s third division, which is referred to as League Two today.
Rush never played for his nation in a major international tournament. However, he was a key player for the national team scoring goals against big guns such as France, Germany, Italy, and Scotland.
Ivor Allchurch
Position: Inside Forward
Goals: 23
Caps: 68
Allchurch made his international debut in November 1950, aged 21. This was three years into his professional career with Swansea City AFC. One of his notable achievements was when he helped his nation to qualify for the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
He started five games in the tournament in which they reached the quarter-finals. Moreover, Allchurch scored two goals and was Wales’ top scorer in the tournament. He is Swansea’s all-time leading scorer with 166 goals.
Aaron Ramsey
Position: Central Midfielder
Goals: 20
Caps: 75
Aaron Ramsey is one of the most talented footballers Wales has produced recently. He became captain for his country aged 20 becoming his nation’s youngest captain. Furthermore, Ramsey was in the team that played in the Euro 2016.
He is a complete central midfielder. However, injuries hindered his career as the technical player looked like he had more to offer.
Special Mentions
Other great Welsh players, such as Dean Saunders, John Charles, Cliff Jones, Trevor Ford, and Gary Speed, are worth noting. Who is your favorite Welsh player?