GARETH BALE RETIRES FROM ALL FOOTBALL

All football

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To my Welsh family,

My decision to retire from International football has been, by far the hardest of my career.

How do I describe what being a part of this country and team means to me? How do I articulate the impact it has had on my life? How do I put in to words the way I felt, every single time I put on that Welsh shirt? My answer is that I couldn’t possibly do any of those things justice, simply with words. But I know that every person involved in Welsh football, feels the magic, and is impacted in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel, without using any words at all.

My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am. The fortune of being Welsh and being selected to play for and captain Wales, has given me something incomparable to anything else I’ve experienced. I am honoured and humbled to have been able to play a part in the history of this incredible country, to have felt the support and passion of the red wall, and together have been to unexpected and amazing places.

I shared a dressing room with boys that became brothers, and back room staff that became family, I played for the most incredible managers, and felt the undying support and love from the most dedicated fans in the world. Thank you to every one of you for being on this journey with me.

So for now I am stepping back, but not away from the team that lives in me and runs through my veins. After all, the dragon on my shirt is all I need.

Together stronger

Before anyone asks......

He doesn't have enough money.

GOLF GOLF GOLF

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:thumbright:

I has been a privalage and a joy to has witnessed the greatest ever Welsh Footballer from his very first match to the very last in Doha. Thanks for the memories have a great retirement and play plenty of golf

Nothing to offer cardiff city fc pity
hopefully ramsey may

Happy retirment then

Wish i could at 63
self employed
But a long way off yet.

UPDATE:

Wales legend Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from club and international football.

The former Real Madrid and Tottenham winger earned 111 caps for the Dragons, representing his country at three major tournaments including the World Cup in Qatar.

The former skipper wrote on social media: "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."

Bale, 33, began his career at Southampton before being signed by Spurs in 2007. He established himself as one of the Premier League's finest players during 237 appearances for the North London club.

That earned him a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid for £77million — a world record fee at the time.

The Cardiff-born ace enjoyed a trophy-laden nine-year spell in the Spanish capital, winning five Champions League titles and scoring in the final on two occasions.

I remember him playing for Southampton against Cardiff when he was still a kid, probably 16 or 17.

Thank you for all the memories. What a pleasure it has been!

No question a Great Welsh Player but one ahead of him Thezl Great John Charles. LEEDS.Juventus a great striker then defender and in all his years as a player never booked.

No question a Great Welsh Player but one ahead of him The Great John Charles. LEEDS.Juventus Wales and Cardiff a great striker then defender and in all his years as a player never booked.

Greatest Welsh player, possibly greatest ever Welsh sportsman

Greatest Welsh player, possibly greatest ever Welsh sportsman

I'd go as far as saying he was the best British player in his prime. What he has achieved, nobody else in Britain comes close.

5 Champions League titles, multiple Spanish league and cup titles, and almost singlehandedly took Wales to three major tournaments with his goals.

It's a shame his career has come to an end so early, and many will question if he could have given more, but his record speaks for itself.

Great for Welsh football and even say best British footballer.
But mugged us off good and proper last window.

Surely if he moves back home we should offer him a position with the club whether on the coaching side or management side, he may even like to invest in our club?

Surely if he moves back home we should offer him a position with the club whether on the coaching side or management side, he may even like to invest in our club?

Great player and a City of Cardiff and Wales idol; but no link to Cardiff City FC ever as a player...

Not saying he wouldn't ever be involved (Craig Bellamy may one day come in and involve Gareth) but I wouldn't be too optimistic

Gareth has had an immense career and I applaud him for his achievements. Being from Cardiff and Wales gives us something to be proud of and many of us will be able to say to our children/grand children that we saw him play for club and/or country

My personal memories of seeing Gareth 'live' at a stadiums, included games for Southampton, Spurs and Real Madrid; with my favourite memory being there to see him coming on as a substitute in the Champions League Cup Final and helping his team to lift the trophy in his home city. World Cup apart, I'm not sure it gets better than that...!

HAPPY RETIREMENT, Gareth Bale; as a great player, you leave memories for a lifetime and beyond...

He has to be involved in the Wales set up for sure and he's be very handy to have in some capacity for us, it's only down the road from his gaff. Superb player and character, they don't come around like him too often and a privilege to have watched him so many times.

What a career this football player had, he was an inspirational football who bled red for the Welsh shirt. He did our country proud when we went to the world cup. What a player, what a welshman and what a human.
Hope he has a wonderful rest of his life in Wales in whatever profession he chooses.
A Welsh Legend.
Diolch

Greatest Welsh player, possibly greatest ever Welsh sportsman

I'd go as far as saying he was the best British player in his prime. What he has achieved, nobody else in Britain comes close.

5 Champions League titles, multiple Spanish league and cup titles, and almost singlehandedly took Wales to three major tournaments with his goals.

It's a shame his career has come to an end so early, and many will question if he could have given more, but his record speaks for itself.

On the British stage i'd put peak George Best and maybe Bobby Charlton ahead of Gareth Bale.
I never saw George Best live but the reruns of his games on youtube are something else & he won European player of the year in 1968(i think)

It's crazy to think that the Southampton youth coaches saw Bale as a left back. Who ever converted him to a forward player deserves a lot of credit. Was it Harry Rednap at Spurs?

Greatest Welsh player, possibly greatest ever Welsh sportsman

I'd go as far as saying he was the best British player in his prime. What he has achieved, nobody else in Britain comes close.

5 Champions League titles, multiple Spanish league and cup titles, and almost singlehandedly took Wales to three major tournaments with his goals.

It's a shame his career has come to an end so early, and many will question if he could have given more, but his record speaks for itself.

On the British stage i'd put peak George Best and maybe Bobby Charlton ahead of Gareth Bale.
I never saw George Best live but the reruns of his games on youtube are something else & he won European player of the year in 1968(i think)

It's crazy to think that the Southampton youth coaches saw Bale as a left back. Who ever converted him to a forward player deserves a lot of credit. Was it Harry Rednap at Spurs?

They mentioned this in Together Stronger, and the Wales coaches always saw him as an attacking player.

I remember under Redknapp; Spurs had a run of games whenever Bale played; they lost and were going to sell him at one point to replace him with Downing. I do think it was Redknapp who eventually moved him further upfield, though.

He has to be involved in the Wales set up for sure and he's be very handy to have in some capacity for us, it's only down the road from his gaff. Superb player and character, they don't come around like him too often and a privilege to have watched him so many times.

Agree .