Gareth Bale made a surprising decision to end his career. Bale shared the announcement via his social media on Monday (9/1/2023). He retired at the age of 33 years.
Gareth Bale is known as a player who always appears at the big moments, scores goals and helps the team he defends win in various finals in his 17 year career. Even in his last game with the Los Angeles FC club, Bale became a savior. He scored in the last minute of extra time to take the match to penalties.
Even though he hasn’t played much at LAFC this season, Bale still helped his club win the 2022 MLS title, adding another trophy to a classy collection.
Together with the Wales national team, Bale is the top scorer for his country with 41 goals in 111 matches. His greatest achievement as captain, however, is Bale leading Wales back to the World Cup in 2022, after waiting 64 years.
After 17 years and four clubs he defended, Bale retired by making 554 appearances, scoring 186 goals and 139 assists at club and national level in various events.
The winner of five Champions League titles will still have a working relationship with LAFC for the next six months, but he feels now is the right time to end his career. “So I move on to the next stage of my life. Time for change and transition, opportunity for new adventures,” Bale wrote in a statement.
Even though retiring is relatively fast at the age of 33, Bale has already won flashy achievements and a series of trophies that he won while defending various clubs. His best record was when defending Real Madrid in Spain. With Los Blancos, Bale won the Champions League five times, and scored three goals in three finals, namely in 2014, 2017 and 2018.
Gareth Bale’s Title Collection List
In Teams
UEFA Champions League: 5 (2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2021-22)
UEFA Super Cup: 3 (2014, 2016, 2017)
FIFA Club World Cup: 3 (2014, 2017, 2018)
La Liga: 3 (2016-17, 2019-20, 2021-22)
Copa Del Rey: 1 (2013-14)
SuperCopa: 1 (2017)
MLS Cup: 1 (2022)
As Individual
UEFA Team of the Year: 2 (2011, 2013)
Welsh Footballer of the Year: 6 (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Premier League Player of the Month: 3 (2010, 2012, 2013)
PFA Team of the Year: 4 (2006-07, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13)
Club World Cup Golden Ball: 1 (2018)
PFA Player’s Player of the Year: 2 (2010-11, 2012-13)
PFA Young Player of the Year: 1 (2012-13)
Premier League Player of the Season: 1 (2012-13)
Tottenham Player of the Year: 1 (2012-13)
