Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from football after a glittering career with clubs including Real Madrid and more than 100 appearances for Wales.

“It’s a nice getaway from the hectic life of a professional footballer.” [stinging criticism in Spain](https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/nov/20/gareth-bale-and-that-wales-golf-madrid-flag-real-are-not-amused) for celebrating Wales’s qualification for Euro 2020 by cavorting with a flag that read: “Wales. “A time of change and transition, an opportunity for a new adventure.” “I am stepping back, but not away from the team that lives in me and runs through my veins,” Bale said. [Champions League final in 2018](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/26/real-madrid-liverpool-champions-league-final-match-report), the first of his two goals in Kyiv, influential in recording victory. His match-winning goal against Barcelona in the [2014 Copa del Rey final](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/16/real-madrid-v-barcelona-copa-del-rey-final-live) brought similar acclaim. “After all, the dragon on my shirt is all I need.” “I don’t think it will be the last time you see Gareth in a Wales jersey,” Page said. In November 2021 Bale won his 100th Wales cap at home against Belarus, three years after eclipsing Ian Rush’s goalscoring record by scoring a hat-trick in China. “My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am.” “I feel incredibly fortunate to have achieved my dream of playing the sport I love. Afterwards Rob Page, the Wales manager, was confident Bale would stay true to his word.

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

"The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me." It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life. "My decision to retire from international football has been, by far the hardest of my career," he wrote.

Gareth Bale, five-times Champions League winner and Wales' top scorer and most-capped player, has announced his retirement from football.

The Welshman rose to prominence as a full-back with Tottenham - where he made a brief return in 2020-21 - and celebrated a League Cup victory in 2008 alongside 42 goals in 146 appearances. The now former Wales captain recently represented his nation at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he took his total to 41 goals in 111 caps for his country, ahead of second-placed Ian Rush (28 goals) and Christ Gunter (109 caps), respectively. At 33 years old, Bale announced in a set of tweets that he would be hanging up his boots, both at club and international level.

Wales' record appearance holder and goalscorer led his country from the international football wilderness to qualify for two European Championships, reaching ...

The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.” Wales’ record appearance holder and goalscorer led his country from the international football wilderness to qualify for two European Championships, reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016, and a first World Cup since 1958. Gareth Bale announced his retirement from club and international football at the age of 33 on Monday, bringing to an end one of the most decorated careers in British football history.

Gareth Bale has taken the decision to retire from both club and international football at the age of 33. The Welshman is much younger than the average ...

"Playing for and captaining my country 111 times has truly been a dream come true. [Bale and his surprising new business deal to celebrate Wales' World Cup return](https://www.marca.com/en/football/mls/2022/10/02/6339b8f722601dfa5d8b457f.html) -

Bale, who made a record 111 appearances for Wales, led his country from the international football wilderness to two European Championships — reaching the semi- ...

He added: “To show my gratitude to all of those that have played their part along this journey, feels like an impossibility. “We want to thank Gareth for everything he brought to our club,” LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington said. 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 won five Champions Leagues with Madrid · Wales' top scorer and most-capped player · Announced retirement from football on Monday.

The Welshman rose to prominence as a full-back with Tottenham - where he made a brief return in 2020-21 - and celebrated a League Cup victory in 2008 alongside 42 goals in 146 appearances. The now former Wales captain recently represented his nation at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he took his total to 41 goals in 111 caps for his country, ahead of second-placed Ian Rush (28 goals) and Christ Gunter (109 caps), respectively. At 33 years old, Bale announced in a set of tweets that he would be hanging up his boots, both at club and international level.

Gareth Bale decided to retire from club and international football at the age of 33, but why did he call time on his career relatively young?

"So, I move on with anticipation to the next stage of my life. It was an honor to have one of the most talented, dynamic and exciting players of his generation finish his career with a title for LAFC." "My wife and my children, your love and support has carried me through. "To show my gratitude to all of those that have played their part along this journey, feels like an impossibility. "To my previous clubs, Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC. Right beside me for all the highs and lows, keeping me grounded along the way. Bale had helped LAFC claim the MLS Cup last season, with his last touch of the ball at club level being a thundering header that sent the finale against the Philadelphia Union to a penalty shootout. In his statement, he indicated that his retirement from playing offered "an opportunity for a new adventure", but it remains unclear what exactly that will be. The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me. Playing for and captaining my country 111 times has truly been a dream come true. It was somewhat surprising, given Bale's age and the fact that he had only recently embarked on a new adventure in Major League Soccer with Los Angeles FC, but it was half-expected, too. "I'll keep going as long as I can and as long as I'm wanted," he said at the time.

The five-times Champions League winner has called time on his career weeks after captaining Wales at their first World Cup since 1958.

Gareth Bale, five-times Champions League winner and Wales' top scorer and most-capped player, has announced his retirement from football.

The Welshman rose to prominence as a full-back with Tottenham - where he made a brief return in 2020-21 - and celebrated a League Cup victory in 2008 alongside 42 goals in 146 appearances. The now former Wales captain recently represented his nation at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he took his total to 41 goals in 111 caps for his country, ahead of second-placed Ian Rush (28 goals) and Christ Gunter (109 caps), respectively. At 33 years old, Bale announced in a set of tweets that he would be hanging up his boots, both at club and international level.

It is objectively true that Gareth Bale has had a fantastic footballing career, excelling at the very pinnacle of the game. An output of 142 goals and 70 ...

As he bids adieu to the game, one thing is certain: Gareth Bale is a legend of the game. Out of nowhere, Real Madrid was ahead and as always, Gareth Bale delivered on the biggest stage. As arch-rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona fought a competitive game where both teams denied the other a lot of chances, Bale scored arguably the best goal of his career. However, it is during his time in Real Madrid that injuries really started to take a toll, putting Bale out for long durations – Gareth Bale would play over 30 games in only one season at the club (2014-15). However, just two minutes later, he scored what is regarded by many as the greatest goal of a Champions League final. In fact, beyond aggregate output, Gareth Bale will be most remembered for the many moments of pure footballing magic that he provided fans. Wherever Bale played, he always excelled in the biggest moments. Spurs would go on to win the tie in the second leg, with Bale contributing with two more assists. Gareth Bale signed for Real Madrid for a record fee of £85.1 million. Bale ended the season with five goals and eight assists, a great return for a fullback. At Spurs, Bale took a couple of seasons to get settled, with injuries affecting his playing time as well. While he provided many a moment to cherish and remember, on the whole, one is left wondering what could have been.

Forward calls time on decorated career at age 33, says football has given him some of life's 'best moments'.

“My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. As captain and talisman, he led Wales to their first World Cup since 1958 at Qatar 2022.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has thanked Gareth Bale for the “unforgettable” memories he has left behind after heading into retirement.

He will long be remembered for his involvement in some of the most remarkable moments of the past decade, including his unforgettable run in the 2014 Copa del Rey final in Valencia, his crucial goal in the 2014 Champions League final in Lisbon, and his brace in the 2018 Champions League final in Kiev, most notably the bicycle kick which will live forever in the minds of football lovers around the globe. On an individual level, he was named Best Player of the 2018 Champions League final and got his hands on the Golden Ball at the Club World Cup the same year. [European hat-trick for Spurs against Inter](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/watch-tottenham-gareth-bale-tore-maicon-inter-to-shreds-champions-league/bltba5001e53fdf437a) and a Champions League final bicycle kick goal for Real – with Ancelotti looking back fondly on his time spent working with the Welshman at Santiago Bernabeu. [made history during his time in Spain](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/real-madrid-add-bale-to-official-legends-list-despite-criticism-of-welsh-forward-during-his-time-in-spain/blt0d75c2f271e087cf), saying in a statement on the club’s [official website](https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2023/01/09/official-announcement-gareth-bale-farewell?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organico): “Following Gareth Bale's announcement that he will retire from professional football, Real Madrid C. [hanging up his boots with immediate effect at the age of 33](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/gareth-bale-announces-retirement-football-aged-33/blt124a5cd9f1b83732). would like to express its gratitude, admiration and affection for a true legend of our club and the world game.

Bale - who announced his retirement in an emotional post on Monday - shot to stardom in 2010 after notching a second-half hat-trick against the reigning ...

They were beaten 4-0 in Spain and 1-0 at White Hart Lane. [BBC World Service](https://twitter.com/JohnBennettBBC/status/1612762480203206656?s=20&t=jyhj17HaBbBe77uxgoF75Q), Bassong said: 'He [Bale] just took the game on, on his own. I remember Samuel Eto'o asking me on the pitch: "Who's that?!" At San Siro, he lifted the game up, changed the whole scenario and gave us hope.' It was crazy to see how easy it was for him to do whatever he wanted to do. [who announced his retirement in an emotional post on Monday](/sport/football/article-11615297/Gareth-Bale-retires-football-Wales-Tottenham-Real-Madrid-legend-hangs-boots.html) - shot to stardom in 2010 after notching a second-half hat-trick against the reigning [Champions League](/sport/champions_league/index.html) holders in Spurs' 4-3 defeat.

Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from football at the age of 33 after a glittering career.

“My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am. Thank you to every one of you for being on this journey with me. How do I put into words the way I felt every single time I put on that Welsh shirt?

Wales manager Rob Page reveals details of his conversation with Gareth Bale ahead of his retirement announcement; I told him I think its the right time to ...

He was the first through the building and he's a credit to himself and his family the way he conducts himself in the group. "We appreciate their forthrightness in coming to us when they did. "There's a mixture of emotions for me. When the time is right we'll talk about what capacity we keep him involved." You've just scored in a World Cup and got everything on your CV, what you've done for this country is unbelievable." It's not the news we wanted to start the new year with but we knew it was going to come one day. The roles might have changed slightly. "When you've got someone of Bale's stature and what he's done for Wales, the impact he can have - even being in the changing room and the impact he can have on the players, then I've got to take advantage of that. We just didn't know when it was going to come." He was so proud to put that jersey on. "I've now worked with him for a couple of years and when I was in the U21s, I could see from afar that he was passionate about playing for his country. "He's put Wales on the map globally for what he's done in European football at Real Madrid and what he did at Tottenham in the Premier League and then in the World Cup with Wales.