'They've set the benchmark' - Gareth Bale hails the rise of Wrexham as 'good for Welsh football' but sends Cardiff warning to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Bale, Wrexham, Cardiff City

Gareth Bale has sung the praises of Wrexham but hopes that Cardiff City - a team he is trying to take over - can leapfrog them.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Former Real Madrid and Tottenham star Bale says Wrexham have "set the benchmark" when it comes to growing a club following their rise from the National League to the Championship in three years. He added that their rise is "good for Welsh football" but hopes Cardiff can become the nation's top club once again.

Gareth Bale Cardiff

WHAT BALE SAID

He told Boardroom: "They [Wrexham] have set a kind of new benchmark on how to grow a club, and I think what they've done on the pitch game through promotions in a row is unheard of as well. So it’s all credit to what they're doing. They’ve done a great job and obviously being Welsh and seeing another Welsh team do well is good for Welsh football and hopefully they continue to do well, but if we get Cardiff, hopefully we go past them."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Bale, who is part of a consortium trying to take over League One side Cardiff, is one of many casting admiring looks at Wrexham's progress in recent years. Co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have enjoyed almost nothing but success since taking over the club in 2021 and now have their sights set on the Premier League. If the ex-Wales international can complete his Cardiff takeover, he will want to emulate Wrexham's achievements.

Southampton v Wrexham AFC - Sky Bet Championship

WHAT NEXT?

While Bale waits to see if his consortium's latest proposal will be accepted, Cardiff begin their Carabao Cup campaign at home to League Two Swindon Town on Tuesday. Wrexham host fellow Championship side Hull City on the same day.