Gareth Bale spent 15 years of his football career at one of Southampton or Tottenham. The Welshman enjoyed a very successful period in the sport with a decade also representing Real Madrid which saw him win 16 trophies, including five Champions League titles.
Had it not been for Harry Kane, Bale could certainly be considered the most influential Tottenham player of the 21st century with 71 goals and 53 assists arriving from 237 appearances across two spells. On a number of occasions, Bale single-handedly dragged Tottenham to victories, including one against former club Southampton.
Unsurprisingly, as he is one of many household names to have graduated the Saints' academy alongside Theo Walcott and Adam Lallana, Bale has paid tribute to those instrumental in his development.
"Without being there [Southampton], I don’t think I would be where I am today," Bale told Southampton’s official YouTube channel back in 2014. "Since I was nine they looked after me. They really do take care of every step in your career and, for me, being at Southampton was the best education in football.
"It’s probably the only club that can consistently produce young players like that. It’s a credit to everybody at the club." With both of his old clubs set to face off, which team Bale will be supporting is unclear, especially given his most recent verdict of Tottenham.
"The best thing I ever did was move to Tottenham – I still remember it like it was yesterday," he admitted while at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the Premier League clash against Chelsea in the 2023/24 campaign. "It’s great to be back in front of these amazing fans – it’s definitely like coming home."
Tottenham's last game at Southampton ended in disaster with it being Antonio Conte's final game in charge after he watched his side throw away a two-goal lead which saw him unleash a brutal post-match rant questioning the club's desire to win trophies.
Given the pressure on Ange Postecoglou, with just one win in eight, the Lilywhites will be desperate for a victory to get them back on track after a challenging period of results.
Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham by clicking here for in-depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.
Want breaking and top Tottenham stories sent straight to you? Join our Spurs WhatsApp community by clicking this link. If you're curious you can check out our privacy policy here.