Euro 2016 Bale's agent said he'll be the best player in the world in the next couple of years

Gareth Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett is better known in Spain for his controversial statements than for his visits to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, having previously stated that the Welshman can become the best player in the world.

Looking back at the opening round of fixtures at Euro 2016, however, he may have had a point.

Although Barnett rarely attends Real Madrid matches and has not requested extra money for his client - which is commendable - comments made last October did not go down well in the Spanish capital.

"Bale wants to be the best player in the world, but I don't think he wants to be the best model in the world or the best underwear seller," Barnett said last October, which did not go down well with those in the club's hierarchy given the obvious reference to Cristiano Ronaldo.

"The new guard is coming [to Real Madrid] and there's some resentment, perhaps, to that.

"But I think things will change. [Bale] is now playing in a better position [more centrally], where he wants to play.

"I've always said that I think he'll be the best player in the world in the next couple of years."

Which is why I say now, leaving the above comments about Ronaldo aside, what if Barnett was right?

What if the forward's talents and successes are simply less widely recognised due to a lack of marketing, as has been the case with Andres Iniesta?

What if, as Barnett stated, the 26-year-old does become the best player in the world within two - although it is currently less - years?

What if the position he has been playing internationally is the one which suits him best?

A quick glance at Euro 2016 shows that the Bale who plays for Wales is a total footballer; he is even better than the one who plays for Real Madrid.

Against Russia, we saw him start centrally, move right and left, advance into the No.9 position, drop into the middle to keep possession and even score a goal.

He is a spectacular player who does everything and does it all well.

I would say that the Welshman is maybe not the best footballer in the world right now, but he is the one in the best form.

I'd also say that he is the player with the most potential to inherit the throne of world football from Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Looking back at the Champions League final and Wales' match on Monday night, he was simply superior.

It is also worth mentioning that Bale is the player to have scored the most goals with his head in all of European football, while he is also more than capable from free-kicks, as he has demonstrated so far at Euro 2016.

As a provider, he is again right at the top level, having assisted 15 goals for Los Blancos this past season, more than any other player.

In terms of his personality, he also ticks that box as he has proven he can be a leader of men.

Not only is proving as much in France by leading his national side to first place in a tough group, but he also stepped up to the plate in the final month of the 2015/16 season when Ronaldo was out injured.

The No.11 leads by his performances and not with looks or noise, because he was taught that a good boss isn't the one who shouts the loudest, but is the one who puts in the most effort.

We must, therefore, follow this man's progress at the European Championship and at Real Madrid next season to see if Barnett was correct in his assertion that Bale will become the best player in the world.