We have seen players who have pushed into their 30s playing football, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. However, this life is not cut out for some, especially when it comes towards a more advanced age. Gareth Bale has officially announced his plans to retire this year.
The career that saw Bale shine for Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, and LAFC while also solidifying his place among the all-time greats in Welsh football has officially ended. It has come to a great shock to many that a player that is still considered in his prime has decided to retire.
“After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football,” Gareth Bale stated on Twitter.
“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.”
Initially, it was said that he would leave Real Madrid at the end of this season. He was on loan to Tottenham during the 2020-2021 season and was returned to Real Madrid for this season.
He left Real Madrid in mid 2022 and signed a 12 month contract with LAFC, an American soccer team. In his 14 games in the States, his 128th-minute extra-time header in the MLS Cup final, which helped LAFC tie the Philadelphia Union 3-3, was his most significant contribution. Due to that, the game had to go to penalties, where LAFC won their first major championship.
Reactions towards Bale’s retirement
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) January 9, 2023
His tweet has garnered over 36 million views and almost 600,000 likes. Most of the positive remarks came from the American soccer fans as they thanked him for his contributions to the LAFC. The Premier League’s official Twitter account even thanked him for his service towards the league.
There were some fans that even stated that he is the best UK player ever. There were some Real Madrid fans that also thanked him for his contributions to the club. Unfortunately, this opinion is not popular among other Real Madrid fans.
https://twitter.com/KirvinMoesquit/status/1612496535551414285?s=20&t=RY5KA7WKXqnXgeoUR_p8Kw
ESPN’s Twitter account posted a controversial statement stating that Bale is one of the most underrated players that Real Madrid has ever had. Fans were vehemently against the statement as they said that he apparently “wasted a lot of Madrid’s money.”
He did not carry Ronaldo. However if he did not have any injuries, he could have been his equal or maybe even surpassed him. At his best, he was unstoppable.
— Josue Alvarez (@JosueAl54310212) January 9, 2023
For some odd reason, when there’s any football news on Twitter, the topic of Ronaldo and Messi will come up. A fan stated that he carried Ronaldo during their shared time in Real Madrid. Ronaldo fans disagreed with the statement stating that if he did not have any injuries he might actually have surpassed Ronaldo.
how was he?!? Real Madrid tried to renege on their contractual obligations, Balke didn't play ball – RM tried to bully him, and he wasn't having any of it?! Tell me who disrespected whom?
— Sukh Singh (@SukhSinghCrypto) January 9, 2023
Others stated that towards the end of his tenure with Madrid, he disrespected the team but is regarded as one of the best players they had. Fans disagreed with the statement accusing Madrid of wanting to break their own contract with him, which then led him to be unhappy with said team.
that's exactly what's happening to C.Ronaldo..people are overlooking the impact he had at laliga and epl when he was still a young lad, now that he's old for the sport and can't execute like he used to, they're spitting on his name and tarnishing his legacy and reputation..
— carlisnotblack (@carlisnotblvck) January 9, 2023
More relatability to Ronaldo has been said among fans. They are saying that Bale was treated poorly and was not remembered for his great contributions in his earlier days, and instead he has been cast aside by the team. Others recognize the similarities with how Ronaldo is being treated.
There are truths in this statement, regardless of what field you are in, you will not be remembered for your greatest achievements but for your greatest failures. Regardless of what is being said about Bale, it is indeed a sad day to see such a player retire while still having half a decade worth of playing ahead of him.
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