PROUD BALE’S 3 LIONS SNUB
He told agent: ‘If you want job, never mention them again!’
GARETH BALE aims to take a major step towards his “crowning glory” when he wins his 100th Wales cap this weekend.
But his agent Jonathan Barnett has revealed that the star could have played for England, only to turn the opportunity down flat. Barnett (inset), paying tribute to the star’s love of representing his country, said: “From the first day I met him and his father, he said 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 has amassed 99 caps, which started with a 2-1 win over Trinidad & Tobago on May 27, 2006 when he was a teenager.
Since then, the 32-year-old Bale has starred for Wales in two European Championships and won numerous trophies, including the Champions League four times with Real Madrid. Barnett reckons playing at Qatar 2022 would be the highlight of Bale’s career.
The Wales superstar has not played for club or country since injuring his hamstring in September.
But he has worked hard to get fit for Wales’s last two World Cup qualifiers and is set for his century this Saturday when Belarus visit Cardiff.
Victory would lift Wales to second in Group E ahead of their final qualifier at home to Belgium on Tuesday night when they could secure a play-off spot.
“If he gets to the World Cup with Wales, I think that will be his crowning glory,” said Barnett.
Wales coach Rob Page has already admitted he is likely to play his fit-again skipper despite his lack of match practice.
Barnett describes Bale as Britain’s best footballing export ahead of David Beckham.
“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,” said 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, which he has been. He has no regrets, he has a fantastic life and he is really happy.
“Everything has worked out really well for him.”
But with his Real Madrid contract up this summer, there is still room in Bale’s extraordinary career for one final chapter and a fairy-tale ending.
Close pal Wayne Hennessey is hoping Bale will crown his milestone with one of his “scary” free-kicks.
Bale scored a hat-trick, including a last-gasp winner, in the 3-2 defeat of Belarus in the reverse fixture in September.
The Burnley goalkeeper, who has 97 Wales caps, said: “I have known Gaz for a long time.
“I got to see him develop from a young boy to the highest limits you can think of.
“He is a special guy and what he can do on a football field, his freekicks – oh my God.
“For a goalkeeper and the opposition, you don’t really want to be in that situation.
“As friends, we are really tight and I would love to see him score and get the 100 caps.”