Gareth Bale's fierce warning to agent after suggesting he could play for England

Gareth Bale aims to take a major step towards his "crowning glory" when he wins his 100th Wales cap this weekend.

Bale's agent Jonathan ­Barnett has paid tribute to the star's love of ­representing Wales by revealing how he refused to even consider playing for England.

It has seen Bale amass 99 caps since making his international debut as a teenager in the 2-1 win over Trinidad & Tobago on May 27, 2006.

Now Bale is set for his ­century this Saturday as ­captain when Belarus visit Cardiff in a crunch World Cup qualifier.

Victory would lift Wales to second in Group E, ahead of their final ­qualifier at home to Belgium on ­Tuesday night, as they aim to secure a play-off spot.

Bale, 32, has already starred for Wales in two Euros and won numerous trophies, including four Champions Leagues with Real Madrid.

But Barnett ­reckons a place at Qatar 2022 with Wales will be a ­remarkable new feat to top his ­career off.

"If he gets to the World Cup with Wales, I think that will be his crowning glory," said Barnett. "From the first day I met him and his father, he said to us how special Wales was.

"When we spoke to him, he had the possibility to play for England. He said, 'Never say that again if you want to be my agent!'

"He is a ­fanatical Welshman."

Bale scored a hat-trick, ­including a last-gasp winner, in the 3-2 defeat of Belarus in the ­reverse fixture back in ­September.

And such is Bale's talismanic role, Wales coach Rob Page has already admitted he is likely to play his fit-again skipper despite an absence of match practice since injuring his hamstring in September.

The FAW had high hopes for Bale ever since he stood out as a star of the future with an assist on his debut, after coming on as a ­substitute for Wales aged 16 years and 315 days.

He subsequently ­developed into their key man and galactico after leaving Southampton for Tottenham Hotspur ­before a world-record £85.3million move to Real in 2013.

Barnett reckons Bale has since proved to be ­Britain's best ­footballing export, ahead of David Beckham.

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"Playing for England might have been more ­lucrative but Gareth ­transcended that because, at one time, he was the third best player in the world," added Barnett.

"He is arguably the greatest player that has ever played abroad for Britain.

"Beckham is an institution all round but Gareth was a much better footballer.

"He has been one of the greatest players Britain has ever produced. It has been a privilege to be his agent.

"He has dedicated his life to being a great footballer. He has no regrets, he has a fantastic life and is really happy.

"Everything has worked out really well for him."

But with his Real ­contract up this ­summer, there is still room in Bale's extraordinary ­career for one final ­chapter and a fairy-tale ­ending.