‘Opportunity for new adventure’, Gareth Bale pens emotional message following retirement from football

Welsh winger wizard Gareth Bale has announced his immediate retirement from club and International football.

The 33-year-old broke the news in a social media post on Monday, January 9, 2023.

Bale retires as Wales most capped player (111) and highest scorer (41).

The post reads, “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 9 years old.

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Photo: Message to Welsh fans from Gareth Bale following International retirement

“To my previous clubs, Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid, and finally LAFC. All of my previous managers and coaches, backroom staff, teammates, 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.

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“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…”

Bale ends his career less than two months after captaining Wales at their first World Cup since 1958. It proved to be an unsuccessful campaign in Qatar, as Bale and his team-mates finished bottom of their group with one point after defeats to Iran and England.

Gareth Bale made 394 club appearances, scoring 141 goals in a career that saw him start at Left-back as a teenager in Southampton, then moved to Tottenham where he was converted into a winger to devastating effect for the opposition, earning a then-world record fee to Real Madrid in 2013 where he won an unprecedented 5 UEFA Champions Leagues, 3 LaLiga titles and a host of other trophies.

He moved to Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in June 2022, making 12 appearances for the U.S. side.

Gareth Bale’s Individual honours

2x Tottenham Hotspur Young Player of the Year

1x Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year

2x UEFA Team of the Year

1x UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season

6x Welsh Footballer of the Year

1x ESM Team of the Year

The Football League Team of the Decade

3x Premier League Player of the Month

4x PFA Team of the Year

2x PFA Players’ Player of the Year

1x PFA Young Player of the Year

1x FWA Footballer of the Year

1x Premier League Player of the Season

1x FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball

1x BBC Wales Carwyn James Junior Sportsman of the Year: 2006

1x Football Association of Wales Young Player of the Year: 2007

1x BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year: 2010

 

Team honours

3x La Liga

1x Copa del Rey

1x Supercopa de España

5x UEFA Champions League

3x UEFA Super Cup

3x FIFA Club World Cup