Welsh icon Bale calls it a day
He was a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid
Wales and Los Angeles FC winger Gareth Bale said yesterday he had decided to end his playing career at the age of 33, having reached exceptional milestones in both club and international football. Bale played a Wales record of 111 games for his country and was a fivetime Champions League winner with Real Madrid. He helped the Welsh reach the 2016 and 2020 Euros before leading them in their first World Cup since 1958 at Qatar 2022.
“After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football,” Bale said on Twitter. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life.
Highest of highs
“The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.” Bale started his senior career at
then Championship side Southampton, which introduced the 17-year-old to professional football before he moved to Tottenham Hotspur two years later.
After six seasons and nearly 150 appearances in the Premier League, Bale was signed by Real Madrid for a fee reported by British media as a world record of 100 million euros ($107.45 million). In 2013-14, his first season in Spain, he helped Real Madrid to their 10th Champions League trophy, awaited by the club for more than 10 years. Bale made 12 appearances and scored six goals in the triumphant campaign, including in the 4-1 final win over Atletico Madrid.
“From my very first touch at Southampton to my last with LAFC and everything in between, shaped a club career that I have an immense pride and gratitude for,” Bale added.