One of the greatest players of his generation is calling it a career.
On Monday, Gareth Bale, just months after leading Wales through the World Cup, announced his retirement from professional soccer. Bale leaves the game as Wales, all-time leading goal scorer and its most capped player, and departs as one of the most decorated players in history.
Bale started his career with Southampton in 2006, but it was with Tottenham Hotspur that Bale started to establish himself as one of the top players in the game. In 142 appearances with the North London squad spanning six seasons, Bale emerged as one of the top Left Wingers in the game, scoring 42 total goals and helping the Spurs emerge as a legitimate contender for one of the Premier League’s four Champions League spots. Bale then went to Real Madrid in 2013 and his career really took off. Bale made 176 appearances, scored 81 goals, and playing alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, experienced unparalleled team success, winning four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, a Copa Del Rey title, a Supercopa Espana title, and three FIFA Club World Cups.
After a brief return spell with Tottenham in 2021, Bale left Madrid in 2022 and signed with LAFC in the Summer. Bale made 12 appearances, mostly off the bench as he attempted to adjust to MLS’ style of play and the travel and weather of the United States. It was the 12th appearance however that Bale etched himself in black and gold lore, as his header deep in stoppage time of the MLS Cup final against the Philadelphia Union saved LAFC from defeat, and LAFC won the MLS Cup in the ensuing shootout to cap of a magical season in which LAFC won the Supporters Shield in addition to the MLS Cup.
Internationally, Bale took Wales to new heights. In Euro 2016, Wales, led by Bale, Aaron Ramsey and captain Ashley Williams, advanced to the semifinals, the first time in its history that Wales had advanced that far in a major tournament. Six years later, Wales qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1958. Grouped with the United States, Iran and fellow British nation England, Wales rallied to draw the U.S., with Bale converting from the penalty spot, but Wales lost its last two games to Iran and England.
