Gareth Bale unveiled at Los Angeles FC
Gareth Bale wants the world to know Los Angeles FC (LAFC) is not the 18th hole of his football career.
The golf-loving Welsh forward intends to keep playing for club and country for several more seasons, and he hopes to fill those years winning trophies with his new stateside team.
“I’m up for everything here,” Bale said yesterday. “I still have many years to come. I haven’t come here to just be here for six months, 12 months. I’ve come here to try and be here for as long as possible. I want to do as well as I can. I want to try to make my mark on this league, on this team. I look forward to the future.”
Bale’s declaration of his longterm intentions undoubtedly will please his new LAFC fans, who were hoping the long-time Real Madrid forward wasn’t simply using the team atop the Major League Soccer (MLS) standings as a place to get fit for Wales’ landmark return to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this fall after a 64-year absence.
The 32- year- old Bale also gave a thrill to his home nation when he confirmed his intention to play in the 2024 European Championships, keeping his place among the greatest group of Welsh football talent in decades.
“It’s not just a short-term thing,” Bale said. “(LAFC) also gives me the best opportunity to go to the next Euros, maybe further. So my plan is to really work hard. We’ve got a great plan going forward to get me up to speed, and, hopefully, it lasts as long as possible.”
LAFC formally introduced Bale to an extensive media gathering inside Banc of California Stadium, but the club’s fans already met Bale outside on the field three days earlier. He got a standing ovation hours after getting off the plane from Europe last Friday, and he watched LAFC’s 3-2 victory over the archrivals LA Galaxy from a suite before joining the on-field postgame celebrations with his new teammates.
Bale went through his first training session with LAFC yesterday morning. While the club isn’t projecting when he will suit up in their pursuit of the MLS title, the goal-scoring dynamo should be fresh: He played in only five matches for Madrid last season while battling injuries.