Ryan Giggs could not believe what Gareth Bale did on training ground – 'What are you doing?'

Manchester United legend was left gobsmacked by during a training session, long before the Cardiff-born sensation made his mark with .

Bale, who burst onto the international scene in 2006, quickly transitioned from a dynamic left-back to a at . His between 2010 and 2013 earned him numerous accolades and to Los Blancos

There, he amassed an impressive collection of 19 trophies, including an incredible five titles. Giggs, with over 950 appearances for under his belt, shared a memory from before Bale's high-profile transfer, when a moment in training left him initially puzzled but ultimately in awe of the young Welsh talent's abilities.

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Appearing on , presented by Airways, Giggs, who managed Wales from 2018 to 2022, reminisced about the first time he truly appreciated Bale's skill during national team practice.

"I remember the first time you came back from international duty. You came back and I think you were just amazed," said host Ferdinand, probing into ex-Red Devils team-mate Giggs' initial impressions of Bale. "I think he [Bale] tried to tell you how to take free kicks or something, didn't he?"

To which 13-time winner Giggs responded, detailing the training encounter: "We were at the end of training and I think I was just lining up free kicks.

"I was ready to take it, and he just went over and picked the ball up. 'What are you doing? What are you doing, mate?' And then he put it in the top corner. [Now] I understand.

"He was the best Welsh player ever. Without a shadow of a doubt," he continued. "For what he did for the country. And obviously, going on what he did at Real Madrid, he was unplayable for four or five years.

"We talk about that story when he first came into the team, and then when I was manager, my first game was... It was in China, away. And in the first half, he scores a hat-trick.

"Obviously, I'd seen the Euros, I'd seen it from afar, but that was like, wow. And he just looked bigger and stronger than everyone else on the pitch. Just bullied [players]. Just shrugging players off."

When quizzed further on Bale's exceptional career durability and what made him stand out, Giggs didn't hesitate to highlight the Cardiff-born star's exemplary self-care and his sharp tactical mind, reports .

"Well, he looked after himself. He was fit," remarked Giggs. "Tactically, really intelligent. I was asking him to do things, and he got it straight away. Some players you need to tell them several times, demonstrate on the field, show video clips. With him, he understood instantly."

Listen to the full Rio Meets Ryan Giggs interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify from 6am, Friday 25th April.

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