Gareth Bale & Messi on FIFA 14 UK cover

This past season has cemented Tottenham winger Gareth Bale's status as one of the best players in world football.

He won all three major awards: PFA Young Player of the Year, PFA Player of the Year, and Football Writer's Player of the Year. He's been linked with the club who holds another player to capture all three - Real Madrid, with Cristiano Ronaldo - and now he's on the cover of FIFA 14. 

It's really no surprise. Bale finished with 26 goals in all competitions for Tottenham and that was without any other goalscoring threat around him. He scored after torching whole defences on sprints or just playing the ball to his favourite left foot and showing his amazing touch, as he did in the Sunderland game. 

The cover of FIFA is just another natural step up. However, it provides yet another indication that Bale might not be stepping up in clubs. Between the gigantic Times Square billboard and the FIFA cover, NBC and EA sure seem to think that Bale is staying. This will be yet another sign to Tottenham fans that they might keep their man for at least another season.

When asked about the appearance, Bale said that it was a "dream come true".

The Welsh Wizard became the second Welshman ever on the cover - Ryan Giggs being the first in 2003. To be on a cover with Lionel Messi, who has won the Ballon d'Or every year from 2009-2012, shows how big he is in the international community.

Expect another sigh of relief from Spurs fans, with yet another indication of their star's probable stay.