Former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur star, Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from professional football today.

Gareth Bale, Wales’ all-time top scorer, won more European Cup / Champions League titles than any other British player in football history.

Accolades

  • 5 Champions League
  • 3 La Liga
  • 1 Copa del Rey
  • 3 UEFA Supercup
  • 4 Club World Cup
  • 3 Supercopa de España
  • 1 EFL Cup
  • 1 MLS trophies
  • 1 English League Cup Winners
  • 6 Wales Footballer of the Year
  • 1 Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year

The 33-year-old was born in Cardiff, Wales and started his career as a left-back for Southampton FC before signing for Tottenham for €14.7m in July 2007 where he was converted to an attacker after displaying excellence up front.

After dominating the Premier League, Bale caught the eye of the Los Blancos and Real Madrid broke the bank to sign him from Spurs in the summer of 2013 for €101m where he won o many trophies and accolades.

In September 2020, he joined Spurs again on loan from Real Madrid and starred at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium for that one year before returning to Madrid.

He left Madrid for LAFC in July 2022 and played there till he retired on Jan 9, 2023.

Goal Contribution Statistics

At Southampton, Bale scored 5 goals and provided 12 assists in 45 games. In Spurs, he scored 72 goals and provided 60 assists in 237 matches.

For Real Madrid, he scored 106 goals and made 67 assists in 258 matches including a famous overhead kick in the UCL final against Liverpool. At LAFC, he scored 3 goals in 14 appearances.

Finally, for the Wales national team, Bale scored 40 goals and provided 22 assists in 111 matches including leading the side to the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

The Welshman announced this on his official social media pages with an open letter of gratitude.

“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.

“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.”

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