We all know that feeling, when the football is kicked by one of the players of our favorite team from a distance aiming at the goal of the other team. “Aaannd that was a miss!” Oh, how our hearts sink!
REAL MADRID
One of the most admired football teams today is the “Real Madrid Club de Fútbol” most commonly known as “Real Madrid”. It is a professional football club located in Madrid, Spain. This club has one of the most valuable sports team in the world, having a net worth of around $3.4 billion and has ranked as the world’s highest earning football club for 2013-14. One of the most important assets to this team consist of a very familiar name, and our hot topic for today “Gareth Bale”
GARETH BALE
Early Life of a Football Icon
Gareth Bale, being born in Cardiff, Wales, to a loving family, his parents are Frank who was a school caretaker and Debbie who was an operations manager. Whitchurch was his primary school and being the nephew of the very famous footballer Chris Pike from Cardiff City, he was a natural at football. While playing for “Cardiff Civil Service Football Club” at age 9, he was spotted by the Southampton. His favorite as a kid was the amazing Ryan Giggs from Manchester UTD. At the age of 14, in 11.4 seconds he was already running the 100-metre sprint. He left school in 2005, with his best score in PE at A Grade.
The Club Life Began
Southampton
Bale played for Southampton being the second youngest boy for the team at the age of 16 on 17 April 2006. By December 2006, Bale’s goals had climbed up to 5 goals; he also became the Young Sports Personality of the Year by winning the Carwyn James Award by BBC Wales. Bale’s name also appeared as the Young Player of the Year in the Football League in March 2007. Bale appeared in 45 games for Southampton with a score of 5 goals.
Tottenham Hotspur
After having a hot and rolling career at the Southampton, Bale was scooped out by the Tottenham for a fee of $15.4 million in 2007, the Welsh superstar enjoyed a glorious start by scoring goals against Fulham, Arsenal and Middlesbrough. Being unable to get a win for Spurs, he went on for a series of 24 games. As Tottenham qualified for the Champions League in 2009 for the first time, Bale became the key figure as the left-winger. In 2010-11, Bale made his breakthrough when he was named Player of the Year by his peers and soon after bagged 24 goals during his final season at Spurs also receiving a number of awards.
Real Madrid
He became one of the world’s most expensive players when Real Madrid paid approx $110 million taking him from Tottenham in 2013.The winger scored 22 goals in 44 games for the club lifting the Champion’s League with much-needed goals. Bale is one of the fastest footballers and is widely known for his pace, fitness, strength and stamina. He is also a free-kick specialist and has now developed into the world’s most feared left-wingers in the world. He is one of the quickest players the team has ever seen with a yearly salary of approx $23 million. He has also sustained injuries over the years.
However, being the best also has its price, as Bale was made a whipping boy as the club failed to win any silverware in 2014-15, but don’t you worry Bale, your fans will still never leave your side.