British football fans love a good debate, and in September 2025, the conversation around who ranks as the greatest British player of the 21st century hit fever pitch. The spark? None other than Wayne Rooney, England’s all-time great, who weighed in on a hot topic: is Tottenham Hotspur legend Gareth Bale superior to the newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembele? It’s a question that’s got supporters and pundits alike buzzing, especially as Dembele’s exploits with Paris Saint-Germain have just earned him the most coveted individual prize in football.
It’s easy to see why Dembele’s name is on everyone’s lips. After all, the French winger racked up an astonishing 35 goals and 16 assists in just 53 appearances for PSG last season, dazzling Ligue 1 crowds and Champions League audiences alike. These numbers would make any player the talk of the town. But Rooney, asked to compare Dembele with one of Tottenham’s finest, didn’t hesitate. His verdict? “Tough one, I think just because of his record and the trophies he won, I would say Gareth Bale,” Rooney told Prime Video Sport on September 26, 2025.
Rooney’s choice isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about the cold, hard facts of footballing achievement. Gareth Bale’s career, after all, reads like a trophy cabinet come to life: five Champions League titles, two La Liga crowns, three European Super Cups, and three FIFA Club World Cup trophies. His personal stats are just as jaw-dropping: 185 goals and 133 assists in 554 matches across four clubs. Not to mention, he was a driving force for Wales, netting 41 times in 111 caps and becoming his nation’s all-time top goalscorer. That’s a record few can match, let alone surpass.
Bale’s journey from Southampton prodigy to Tottenham superstar, then to Galáctico status at Real Madrid, and finally a brief spell at LAFC, is the stuff of footballing folklore. His explosive pace, thunderous left foot, and uncanny knack for delivering in the biggest moments—who could forget his overhead kick against Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final? Or that unforgettable lung-busting run past Barcelona’s Marc Bartra in the Copa del Rey decider? As the recent review of British football legends noted, “Bale represents perhaps the most explosive combination of speed and technique Britain has produced in recent times.”
But what about Dembele? The 28-year-old’s 2024-25 season at PSG was nothing short of sensational. His 35 goals and 16 assists outstripped Bale’s most productive single campaign, and his performances were pivotal in PSG’s domestic and European campaigns. It’s no wonder Tottenham tried to lure him from FC Barcelona back in 2022, but the Frenchman ultimately chose Paris. This year, Dembele’s consistency and flair finally earned him the Ballon d’Or, cementing his place among football’s elite.
Still, as Rooney’s comments suggest, greatness is about more than just one spectacular season. It’s about legacy—sustained excellence, big-game heroics, and, yes, the silverware to back it all up. That’s why, when pressed to choose, Rooney leaned towards Bale: “just because of his record and the trophies he won.”
Bale himself, never shy about his love for Tottenham, recently admitted, “I’m a big Tottenham fan,” when reflecting on the club’s Europa League final win in May 2025. Speaking to Shoot for Love, he joked about sharing punditry duties with Rio Ferdinand, a lifelong Manchester United supporter: “It was great because he (Ferdinand) is obviously a massive Man United fan and I’m not. I’m a big Tottenham fan. It wasn’t the best final, but finals are never normally that good. The most important thing in a final is you win, it doesn’t matter how you win, as long as you win, nobody remembers.” It’s a sentiment that rings true for players and fans alike—when it comes to finals, it’s the result that counts, not the style points.
But the debate doesn’t end with Dembele and Bale. The broader conversation about British football’s finest is as lively as ever. Rooney himself is a towering figure in this pantheon, having scored over 300 goals in his professional club career—including 253 for Manchester United, making him the club’s all-time top scorer. His 208 Premier League goals are second only to Alan Shearer, and his 53 goals in 120 England appearances set a national record that stood until Harry Kane recently eclipsed it. Rooney’s relentless consistency and versatility—leading the line or dropping deep to pull the strings—made him a nightmare for defenders and a dream for managers.
Other legends loom large in this conversation. Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s iconic captain, was the heartbeat of his club, scoring about 120 Premier League goals and 125 senior goals overall. His knack for the dramatic—like the header that sparked Liverpool’s legendary comeback in Istanbul in the 2005 Champions League final—cemented his place in football lore. Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer with more than 200 Premier League goals, redefined what a midfielder could achieve in front of goal, while Paul Scholes quietly orchestrated Manchester United’s midfield, scoring over 150 goals and dictating the tempo with unrivaled vision.
Wingers and wide players have also left their mark. Ryan Giggs, with 168 goals for Manchester United over two decades, showcased adaptability by transitioning from winger to central midfielder. David Beckham, famous for his pinpoint free kicks and crossing, tallied 127 club goals and 17 for England, while also helping globalize the English game. At the back, Rio Ferdinand’s defensive leadership provided the foundation for Manchester United’s title runs, even if his goal tally was modest.
The new generation is already making waves. Harry Kane, now at Bayern Munich, has surpassed Rooney’s England goal record and continues to rack up Premier League goals. Jude Bellingham, still in his early twenties, is scoring for both Real Madrid and England, his maturity and leadership hinting at a future place among the greats.
So, who’s the best? The answer depends on what you value most—goals, trophies, big-game moments, or sheer artistry. Rooney’s choice of Bale over Dembele is just one perspective in a debate that shows no sign of cooling off. What’s clear is that British football’s legacy is richer than ever, with a new generation ready to write the next chapter.
As the dust settles on another thrilling season, fans can only marvel at the talent that’s graced the pitch—and look forward to the next debate, the next rising star, and perhaps, the next Ballon d’Or winner with British roots.
