GARETH BALE is back at Tottenham – and ten years ago to the day he enjoyed a stunning night under the lights with the Londoners.
The Welsh winger smashed an incredible hat-trick in a Champions League clash agaisnt Inter Milan.
However, despite the one-man show, Spurs still fell to a 4-3 defeat.
Inter were seemingly home and hosed at 4-0 up, with Spurs reeling after keeper Heurelho Gomes was sent off.
But Bale had other ideas. His first came after a 50-yard run before firing past Julio Cesar in the goal.
His second was almost a carbon copy, leaving veteran Javier Zanetti toiling behind before he slammed home a powerful third.
After a trophy-laden spell in Spain with Real Madrid, Bale is now back in North London, but what happened to his team-mates that night in Italy? SunSport finds out…
GK – Heurelho Gomes
The Brazilian retired in the summer after Watford were relegated to the Championship.
His time at Spurs was lathered were clangers in goal – and of course he was sent-off that breathtaking night in Milan back in 2010.
But the 39-year-old will be remembered as a cult hero at Watford, and was in floods of tears when he realised it was time to say goodbye.
RB – Hutton
Probably didn't get the credit he deserved throughout his career. Hutton was the original roving full-back.
Nicknamed the 'Scottish Cafu', Hutton retired aged 35 in February with his last club been Aston Villa.
LB – Assou-Ekotto
The 36-year-old Cameroonian was as honest as they come, admitting he was only in the game for the money.
At his best he was a decent attacking option from the back. At his worst he mis-timed his tackles and lacked positional awareness.
CB – Bassong
Bassong played for SIX English clubs – the last being his one-game spell with Peterborough.
Most of his club appearances came with Norwich, where he showed at times the potential that earmarked him as a future star whwne Newcastle brought him over in 2008.
Although not officially retired, the 34-year-old hasn't played since three appearances for Greek minnows Volos in 2019.
CB – Gallas
The 43-year-old hung up his boots in 2014 after widing it down over in Australia with Perth Glory.
The Frenchman could be erratic, but on his day was a valuable asset, as Chelsea, Arsenal and then Spurs found.
CM – Huddlestone
Huddlestone, still only 33, was released by his very first club Derby in the summer, and has been linked with a mpove back to Hull.
A class midfielder in his time with Spurs, he perhaps lackled the mobility to become a great – but did manage to bag four caps for England.
CM – Jenas
The 37-year-old is now impressing with his punditry skills on Match Of The Day and other BBC football programmes.
Like Huddlestone, Jenas was a classy midfielder and made 21 appearances for England.
AM – Modric
The attacking midfielder is still at the top of his game with Real madrid and Croatia.
Now 35, Modric can still thread that killer ball through. A player definitely more suited to LaLiga than the rigours of the Premier League.
RW – Lennon
Leeds-born Lennon is now plying his trade with Turkish club Kayserispor after leaving Burnley on a free at the end of last season.
A tricky winger, Lennon, 33, made 21 appearances for England and seemed to shun the limelight in his time in football.
LW – Bale
The Welsh wizard, 31, is back – although perhaps not the force of old.
Bombed out at Real Madrid, Spurs fans will be desperate to see Bale reach previous heights. If he does a front three of him with Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min is mouthwatering.
ST – Crouch
Who knew Crouchy was so funny?!
The beanpole striker is now 39 and retired after leaving Burnley in 2019.
From hosting a podcast, to appearing on gimmicky betting adverts, Crouch has reinvented himself as a TV comic agter hanging up his boots.
Subs Used
GK -Cudicini
Brought on for Modric when Gomes was sent off after just eight minutes, Cudcini should be viewed as not jsut a devent second-choice stopper.
CM – Palacios
One of Honduras' best-ever exports, Palacios was impressive for Wigan in their Prem days that got Spurs interested.
However, he didn't really affect games during his time at White Hart Lane. He last played for Olimpia in Paraguay in 2018.
ST – Keane
The most capped and record goalscorer for his country Republic of Ireland. Keane scored goals whereever he went and was lethal in the box.
Manager – Harry Redknapp
One of the most likeable characters in the Beautiful Game, Redknapp, 74, is now enjoying retirement with his wife Sandra in Sandbanks.
Will have one big regret from his football career however – that he never managed England.
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