Gareth Bale retires aged 33 as Real Madrid, Tottenham and Wales legend calls time on glittering 17-year career
GARETH BALE has retired from ALL football aged just 33.
The Tottenham and Real Madrid legend made the shock announcement on his social media accounts today.
The Welshman is one of the most decorated British footballers ever.
He has won five Champions League trophies, all with Madrid, while he also lifted three La Liga crowns, three FIFA Club World Cups, three Super Cups, the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa de Rey during his time in Spain.
Bale posted 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.
"From my very first touch at Southampton to my last with LAFC and everything in between, shaped a club career and I have an immense pride and gratitude for.
"Playing for and captaining my country 111 times has truly been a dream come true.
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"To show my gratitude to all of those that have played their part along this journey feels like an impossibility.
"I feel indebted to many people for helping to change my life and shape my career in a way I couldn't have ever dreamed of when I first started out at 9 years old.
"So, I move on with anticipation to the next stage of my life. A time of change and transition, an opportunity for a new adventure..."
Bale came through the ranks at Southampton before joining Tottenham as a 17-year-old in 2007.
He spent six seasons at Spurs, winning two PFA Players' Player of the year awards, and caught the eye during their Champions League run in 2010-2011, notably scoring a second-half hat-trick against Inter Milan.
In his final season, he scored 26 goals in all comps, which earned him a move to Real Madrid, who paid Spurs a world-record fee of more than £80m.
And despite a love-hate relationship with Madrid supporters, he won an incredible SIXTEEN trophies in eight years.
Bale left last summer and joined Los Angeles FC ahead of the World Cup.
And he made himself a hero by scoring a dramatic last-gasp equaliser in extra time of the MLS Cup final, which his side went on to win on penalties.
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But that proved to be his final kick of a ball in club football.
He also played at two European Championships and one World Cup for his beloved Wales with the final competitive game of his playing career proving to be the 3-0 defeat to England on 29 November in Qatar.
Bale finishes as the Red Dragons' all-time top appearance maker with 111 caps.
His 41st and final international goal was the penalty in their opener against USA.
He also wrote a message to Wales fans in particular.
Bale said: "My decision to retire from international football has been by far the hardest of my career.
"How do I put into 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.
"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."
His former clubs have been reacting to his announcement.
Southampton said: "Here's to you, @GarethBale11 😇 Congratulations on an incredible career ❤️."
They followed it up with a second tweet that said: "Generational talent ✨ One of our own 😇."
Meanwhile, Spurs said: "Thank you for everything, @GarethBale11 💙 Congratulations on an incredible career."
In a longer message, Real Madrid said: "Given Gareth Bale's announcement of his retirement from football as a professional player, Real Madrid CF wants to show its gratitude, admiration and affection for a great legend of our club and world football.
"Gareth Bale arrived at Real Madrid in 2013 and defended our shirt for 9 years, during which he won 19 titles: 5 European Cups, 4 Club World Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 3 Leagues, 1 Copa del Rey and 3 Spanish Super Cups.
"Individually, he was named Best Player in the 2018 Champions League Final and won the Ballon d'Or at the Club World Cup that same year.
"Gareth Bale has been part of our team in one of the most successful stages in our history and forever represents many of the brightest moments of the last decade, such as his goal after a memorable run in the final of the Copa del Rey in Valencia. in 2014, his transcendental goal in the final of the Champions League in Lisbon in 2014 or his goals in the final of the Champions League in Kyiv in 2018, especially the Chilean one that will remain forever etched in the memory of all football lovers.
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"His figure will forever be linked to the history and legend of our club.
"Best of luck, Gareth, and best wishes to you and your family."
