He made 14 appearances in the States, and his greatest contribution came with a 128th-minute extra-time header in the MLS Cup final that saw LAFC draw the game level 3-3 against Philadelphia Union. And after one final season back at Madrid, he left the club in June 2022 at the end of his contract and signed a 12-month deal with LAFC. Towards the end of his Madrid career, he spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan back at Spurs. Although he was frozen out in the latter stages of his Madrid contract, he contributed some historic moments for Los Blancos, including his stunning overhead kick in their 3-1 win over Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final. In Spain, Bale won three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and five Champions Leagues (2014, 2016, 2017, 20). He won an array of individual awards for his performances at the Premier League team, and in September 2013, Madrid signed Bale on a six-year deal for a then-world-record fee of €100 million. He joined Spurs as a left-back but was soon shifted to a position on the left of Tottenham's attacking line, and he then established himself as one of the best players in the world. The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me."Īt club level, Bale started his professional career at Southampton, and his form there earned him a move to Tottenham in May 2007. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. "After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football," Bale said in a statement. Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) It brings an end to a career that saw Bale excel for Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and LAFC, while also establishing himself as one of the greatest players in Welsh football history. He recorded times of up to 25 mph in his 2013 debut with Real Madrid.įor perspective, Usain Bolt’s maximum speed during his 2009 world record 100m dash was 27.8 mph.Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33.īale made the surprise announcement on Monday in a statement posted on his social media channels. The forward is considered to be one of the fastest players in the world. In another life, Bale could probably trade his cleats for spikes to represent Wales on the track. Bale is one of the fastest soccer players in the world Three years later, Real signed Bale to a three-year extension for 150 million pounds, locking him in until 2022 and making him the highest paid player of the 2016 season. That transfer price tag has since been eclipsed nine times, with Neymar’s 2017 move from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain nearly doubling it. ![]() He originally transferred from Tottenham to Real Madrid for a then-record $132 million (85.6 million pounds). Bale historically comes at a hefty price for interested clubsīale’s time with Real Madrid cost the Spanish club a pretty penny. He is also the second-most capped player with 106 appearances, trailing only current teammate Chris Gunter. But his place in the Welsh record books doesn’t stop there.Īt 17 years and 83 days old, Bale became the youngest Welsh player to score during a 2006 matchup against Slovakia. Bale is Wales’ top goalscorer of all time with 40 international goalsīale’s 40 goals give him a healthy lead over Ian Rush in second place with 28 goals. He made his professional and international debut in 2006 at the age of 16. Bale was also classmates with Sam Warburton, former captain of the Wales rugby team, and several years behind Geraint Thomas, winner of the 2018 Tour de France.īale came up through the Southampton youth program. Bale was famously required only one touch and prohibited from using his dominant foot while at Whitchurch High School, a practice teacher Gwyn Morris claims was an effort to “ challenge him” as he did other students. ![]() His athletic prowess caught the attention of coaches and teachers from a young age. ![]() Bale made his professional debut with Southampton in 2006īale grew up in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales located 45 miles west of neighboring Bristol, England. Here’s everything you need to know about Gareth Bale before he takes the field at the 2022 World Cup. ![]() Get San Diego local news, weather forecasts, sports and lifestyle stories to your inbox.
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