The 5 Greatest Welsh Football Players of all-time
The 5 Greatest footballers to play for Wales
Wales, having only qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice and UEFA European Championships twice in its history, has never been seen as a major force in world football. However, in recent years, the British nation has enjoyed a rise in prominence.
The Dragons’ FIFA ranking shot up from 117th in 2011 to 8th in 2015, the biggest rise in the history of FIFA world rankings. The Welsh are currently ranked 17th globally by FIFA.
Welsh teams of past and present have always been fiercely patriotic, with one exceptional talent amongst the hardworking group. For every Giggs, the Welsh have had a Bale next in line.
Here then are 5 of the best to have represented Wales:
1. Gareth Bale
Position: Forward
Caps: 108
Goals: 40
Wales’ highest-ever goalscorer, Gareth Bale is also the most talented player his nation has produced in this century. Bale made his senior international debut in May 2006 at the age of just 16-years old, illustrating his potential at a frighteningly young age.
The Welshman had barely played first-team football by this point, with only 2 senior games for Southampton FC of England.
By 2006, he was the youngest goalscorer in Wales history via a freekick vs Slovakia. Originally a left-back, by the time Wales qualified for Euro 2016, Bale had been converted into one of the fiercest wingers in football. With his nation participating in their first-ever Euros, Bale played a starring role on the big occasion.
Gareth Bale’s Top 5 goals for Wales
Playing as a striker in a two-man partnership with various teammates, Bale scored 3 goals in 6 games – including one vs England – as his performances propelled Wales out of the group stage and as far as the semi-finals of the tournament, an unforgettable moment for his nation. This performance made Bale his nation’s all-time top scorer in major tournaments. His cross also led to the own goal which put Wales in the semi-finals of Euro ’16.
In his pomp, Bale was athletic and rapid with fantastic technique in his left foot. He became a dead-ball specialist as his career progressed, scoring 2 in a major tournament for Wales.
In his later years, Bale has become more of an intelligent player, with constant anticipation and off-the-ball movement into space. He is the current captain of the Wales national team and one of the most capped Welsh internationals of all time.
2. Chris Gunter
Position: Full-back
Caps: 109
Goals: 0
The most-capped Welsh player and only player to have 100 caps for The Dragons, it’s hard to believe Chris Gunter is only 31-years old. However, the Welshman got an early start to his international career. By the age of 16, Gunter was already playing for the Wales U-21s, becoming the 2nd youngest player to do so.
Within a year, the right-back was involved with the senior team, making his debut in May 2007 after his first full season as a professional with Welsh side, Cardiff City FC. Gunter became ever-present for the Welsh side for over a decade, making at least 5 appearances annually. By the time Euro 2016 rolled around, he was a nailed-on starter.
Gunter played every minute of the Euros campaign as Wales reached the semi-finals of the tournament, keeping two clean sheets along the way. By the age of 27, he already had 75 caps. A dependable, attacking full-back capable of playing on both flanks, Gunter often captains Wales in Gareth Bale’s absence.
3. Ivor Allchurch
Position: Inside Forward
Caps: 68
Goals: 23
Allchurch was first called up to the senior team in November 1950 at the age of 21-years old, 3 years into his professional career and whilst he was at Welsh club Swansea City AFC. The prolific forward remained a regular until the 1958 FIFA World Cup, Wales’ first WC appearance. Allchurch helped secure qualification with a goal each in both legs of a playoff vs Israel.
Ivor Allchurch - The Golden Boy of Welsh Football
At the tournament held in Sweden, Allchurch was one of the first names on the team sheet, starting all 5 of Wales’ games as the British nation reached the QFs at the first time of trying. The attacker also scored 2 goals at the tournament, making him his team’s top scorer at the ’58 WC.
His last cap came in 1966 at 35 years old. Playing just behind the striker, Allchurch had great movement around the penalty box, impeccable technique and was lethal with his left foot.
He is Swansea City’s all-time top scorer with 166 goals, 51 more than the next-best. Allchurch also ranks sixth on their all-time appearance list. There is a statue of him outside Swansea’s stadium.
4. Ian Rush
Position: Striker
Caps: 73
Goals: 28
One of the greatest goal scorers of the 20th century, Ian Rush made his senior international debut at only 18-years old in May 1980. At that point, the striker had only played in the third division of English football (League Two today).
While Rush never played for his country in a major international tournament, he nonetheless became more integral to the national team as he began to perform for club side, Liverpool FC of England.
The Welshman never shied away from expectation either, scoring winning goals in big games vs the likes of Italy, Germany, France and Scotland.
Rush also scored a brace in a win against Spain and a goal against England.
A poacher with the inherent ability to sniff out chances, Rush was Wales’ top scorer of all time until 2018, when Gareth Bale surpassed him. He is still second on the list after his 16-year international career.
Rush is also Liverpool’s top scorer of all time with 346 goals. His last cap came in 1996 at the age of 35.
5. Aaron Ramsey
Position: Central Midfielder
Caps: 75
Goals: 20
Wales’ most talented player of this century not named Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey has never captured the headlines as often as his fellow Welshman when playing for The Dragons.
Yet, Ramsey has still forged an impressive international career for himself. The midfielder got his first senior call-up in October 2008, aged 17 and midway through his second season as a pro for club side, Cardiff City FC of Wales.
By the age of 20, Ramsey was captain of his country, becoming Wales’ youngest-ever captain. While he was replaced 18 months later due to the team’s poor form, the technician had clearly shown the right mentality to deserve it initially. Ramsey had become a familiar face in the starting eleven by 2016, and was called up to the Euros squad as a result.
Wales Qualify for Euro 2020!
At the competition held in France, the Welshman started 5 of his country’s 6 games and was one of the best players in Europe as Wales made it to the SFs at the first time trying. Ramsey had 5 goal involvements (1 goal, 4 assists) at Euro 2016, with the joint-highest number of assists at the tournament. He was also named in the team of the tournament.
A complete central midfielder, Ramsey is hardworking in all aspects of his game yet is still technically sound, he possesses flair with grit interlinked in his style. Currently 31-years old, he could certainly have had more caps with fewer injuries throughout his career, but Ramsey has still given his all for his country when called upon
Honourable Mentions:
Gary Speed, Trevor Ford, Cliff Jones, John Charles and Dean Saunders
