Gareth Bale, a footballing legend for Wales, announced his retirement from the sport in a heartfelt letter on social media.
The former Real Madrid player has ended his brilliant career, which included victories in three La Ligas, five Champions Leagues, and three Club World Cups.
On Monday afternoon, the 33-year-old, who has played for Southampton, Tottenham, Madrid, and Los Angeles FC, posted a heartfelt message on social media to say goodbye to his supporters.
The message from the former Tottenham Hotspur winger read: “After serious and thoughtful contemplation, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.”
He, however, did not rule out playing for the Wales national team in the future.
‘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. Playing for and captaining my country 111 times has truly been a dream come true’, Bale wrote.
‘To show my gratitude to all of those that have played their part along this journey, feels like an impossibility. I feel indebted to many people for helping to change my life and shape my career in a way I couldnt have ever dreamed of when I first started out at 9 years old’
‘To my previous clubs, Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC. All of my previous managers and coaches, back room staff, team mates, all the dedicated fans, my agents, my amazing friends and family, the impact you have had is immeasurable’
‘My parents and my sister, without your dedication in those early days, without such a strong foundation, I wouldn’t be writing this statement right now, so thank you for putting me on this path and for your unwavering support.’
‘My wife and my children, your love and support has carried me through. Right beside me for all the highs and lows, keeping me grounded along the way. You inspire me to be better, and to make you proud.’
‘So, I move on with anticipation to the next stage of my life. A time of change and transition, an opportunity for a new adventure.’
Shortly later, the winger uploaded a second comment that was directed at Wales supporters. He stated: ‘To my Welsh family… My decision to retire from International football has been, by far the hardest of my career.’
‘How do I describe what being a part of this country and team means to me? How do I articulate the impact it has had on my life? How do I put in to words the way I felt, every single time I put on that Welsh shirt?’
‘My answer is that I couldn’t possibly do any of those things justice, simply with words. But I know that every person involved in Welsh football, feels the magic, and is impacted in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel, without using any words at all.’
‘My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am. The fortune of being Welsh and being selected to play for and captain Wales, has given me something incomparable to anything else I’ve experienced.’
‘I am honoured and humbled to have been able to play a part in the history of this incredible country, to have felt the support and passion of the red wall, and together have been to unexpected and amazing places.’
‘I shared a dressing room with boys that became brothers, and back room staff that became family, I played for the most incredible managers, and felt the undying support and love from the most dedicated fans in the world. Thank you to every one of you for being on this journey with me.’
‘So for now I am stepping back, but not away from the team that lives in me and runs through my veins. After all, the dragon on my shirt is all I need.’
Bale will leave the game as the nation’s leading scorer and the Welsh player with the most appearances.
The 33-year-old began his professional career in England as a left-back at Southampton before earning a $5 million transfer to Tottenham in 2007.
Bale struggled to get off to a good start in north London, losing his first 24 games before exploding into prominence during his six years at White Hart Lane.
His breakthrough came in a 4-3 loss to defending Champions League champions Inter Milan at the San Siro, where the young Welshman scored a hat-trick.
He later rose to prominence as one of the top Premier League players and became just the third person in history to win both the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards in the same campaign.
His accomplishments in north London led to a then-world record transfer to Real Madrid.
Gareth Bale
Gareth Frank Bale MBE, a former winger for a Welsh football team, was born on July 16, 1989.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Welsh footballers of all time as well as one of the best wingers of his generation.
At Southampton, where he started his professional career, Bale excelled as a free kick specialist while playing left defender.
In 2007, Bale transferred to Tottenham Hotspur with a final cost of £7 million. He changed into a more offensive player at Tottenham as a result of managerial and tactical changes.
Under Harry Redknapp’s direction, Bale joined the club as a regular in the 2009–10 campaign and gained prominence abroad in the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League.
He received the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award in 2011 and 2013 and was included in the UEFA Team of the Year.
He was also recognized in 2013 as the Premier League Player of the Season, the FWA Footballer of the Year, and the PFA Young Player of the Year.
Between 2011 and 2013, he was nominated for the PFA Team of the Year three times in a row.
Bale was acquired by Real Madrid in 2013 for an unknown sum that was later determined to be a record-breaking £85.1 million (€100.8 million) transfer fee.
Gareth Bale scored in both of the club’s championship games while a member of the succeeding three known as the BBC, which also included Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.
He won the UEFA Super Cup the following year and scored in the club’s victory at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Due to ongoing injuries, Bale saw his playing time decrease in the following seasons, despite winning La Liga champion medals in 2016–17 and 2019–20 and three additional Champions League championships in 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18. Bale also played in Real Madrid’s first and third consecutive finals and scored twice, including once with an overhead kick, in the club’s 2018 UEFA Champions League victory.
He returned to Tottenham in 2020–21 on loan, and the following year—his final with Real Madrid—saw him win his fifth Champions League title and another league championship despite seeing little action.
Later, in July 2022, he joined MLS team Los Angeles FC, where he went on to win the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup in the same year.
Bale For Wales
In May 2006, Gareth Bale earned his senior international debut for Wales, making him the country’s youngest player to that moment.
Then, he went on to amass 111 caps and score 41 goals for his country, becoming the most capped player and leading goalscorer in Wales history.
He scored seven goals during Wales’ victorious in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, making him the team’s leading scorer. He later played for Wales in the main competition as they advanced to the semifinals, contributing three goals.
He then played for the team at Euro 2020 and was essential in Wales’ success in qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, breaking a 64-year World Cup absence. He received the award six times, which is a record.
Bale announced his retirement from football on January 9, 2023, at the age of 33.
