'Gareth Bale couldn't get a ball past me' says American finance worker

A driver cruising along a beach road got the shock of his life when he hit the brakes as a football bounced on to the tarmac in front of him.

Benjamin Brittenham feared a child would run out after it – but instead it was the world’s most expensive player.

Benjamin said: “I couldn’t believe it. I stopped and got out to pick up the ball only to see Gareth Bale running towards it!”

The gobsmacked finance worker asked Real Madrid’s £85million Welsh wizard for a selfie and the former Spurs star happily agreed.

The chance meeting happened in Calfornia on Thursday. Bale, 24, has been enjoying a sunshine break there and tweeted last week about playing golf with pals in LA.

They are believed to have watched England’s 2-1 defeat to Uruguay before enjoying a kickabout.

Benjamin, who supports Sporting Kansas City in the USA’s Major League Soccer, told Bale: “England could have done with you!”

But diplomatic Welshman Bale just grinned before jogging off with his ball.