The Welsh Gareth Bale, protagonist of one of the most expensive passes in the history of football and multiple European champion with Real Madrid, announced this Monday his retirement at the age of 33 after his participation in the World Cup in Qatar and one step by Los Angeles FC in the United States MLS.
“After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football,” confirmed Bale, who led Wales to a World Cup after 64 years but whose participation ended in the group stage after a draw. against the United States and defeats against Iran and England.
The Welshman began his career at Southampton but made the leap at Tottenham, where he played six seasons before being sold to Real Madrid in 2013. The transfer that reached 100 million euros was historic as it became the first to reach three figures.
The famous offensive trio recognized as “The BBC” (Bale-Benzemá-Cristiano) joined the Madrid team and participated in 19 titles: 5 European Champions Leagues, 4 Club World Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 3 Leagues, 1 Copa del Rey and 3 Spanish Super Cups. The most remembered will be the 2018 edition when he won the award for best player in the final after scoring a double against Liverpool, including a spectacular Chilean goal.
Some injuries, the great karma throughout his career, and losing minutes among the starters ended up moving him away from Real Madrid, although his memory ended up being indelible. After his farewell to “Merengue” he ended up in soccer in the United States and was key to the title of Los Angeles FC in November of last year, with another anthological goal in the eighth minute of discount to send the final to penalties.
As a member of the Wales team, he was also an undisputed leader and protagonist of the greatest feats in the team’s history, reaching the semifinals of Euro 2016 and the aforementioned qualification for the World Cup in Qatar.