Gareth Bale Bows Out Of Football

Former forward for Wales, Tottenham, and Real Madrid, Gareth Bale has retired from professional football at the age of 33.

Gareth Bale won five Champions League titles and three LaLiga titles at Real Madrid and is considered one of his country’s greatest-ever football exports.

He was part of Wales’ team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and spent the previous season with LAFC in the Major League Soccer.

The decision to retire from international football was “by far the hardest of my career,” the Welshman said as he announced his retirement from football on Monday, January 9, 2022.

Bale wrote on social media: “After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.

“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. The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.

“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.

“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 couldn’t have ever dreamed of when I first started out at nine 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.”

Major Records Of Bale In Football

1. Gareth Bale has a record 111 caps for Wales’ men’s national team.

2. He scored a record 41 goals for Wales.

3. Bale was the most expensive player in the world in 2013 after Real Madrid paid Tottenham a then record £85.3million for his services.

4. Gareth Bale won five UEFA Champions League titles at Real Madrid which is a joint record.

5. He scored 106 goals at Real Madrid.

6. Bale played for four clubs – Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and Los Angeles FC before he retired on January 9, 2023.

7. Bale was 16 years and 315 days old when he became the youngest player to play for his country on May 27, 2006. Harry Wilson claimed the record in October 2013 when he played against Belgium at the age of 16 years and 207 days.

8. Bale became Wales’ youngest-ever goal scorer on October 7, 2006 – scoring against Slovakia in a Euro 2008 qualifier with a trademark free-kick when he was 17 years old.

9. Bale is the first Wales player to score two international hat-tricks – against China in March 2018 and Belarus in September 2021.

10. He scored 7 goals in Euro 2016 qualifying as Wales ended a 58-year wait to play at a major tournament.

11. Bale scored 3 goals against England, Slovakia and Russia at Euro 2016. In doing so, he became the first player to score in all three group games at the Euros since Milan Baros and Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2004.

12. Gareth Bale became the first Wales player to score at a World Cup for 64 years in Qatar. The previous goal had been scored by Terry Medwin against Hungary at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.