Gareth Bale retires at the age of 33 after setting a goalscoring record for Wales

Gareth Bale is retiring from football at the age of 33 after forming a Wales record with 41 international goals.

Bale’s last match was a 0-3 loss to England at the World Cup on November 29, his 111th international match.

“The decision to retire from international competition has been by far the hardest decision of my career,” Bale said in a statement Monday. “My journey on the international stage has been a journey that has changed not only my life but also who I am. Being fortunate to be Welsh and being chosen to play for the captain of Wales has given me something to do. something incomparable to anything else I’ve been through.I’m honored and humbled to be able to play a role in the history of this incredible country, to feel the support and passion of the red wall, and have gone to unexpected and wonderful places together.”

Bale also said he would be retiring from club football. He has scored 53 goals in the Premier Leagues and 81 in La Liga, finishing last season by helping LAFC win Big football tournament position. Bale won 5 Champions League titles, 3 Spanish league titles, 1 Copa del Rey and 1 League Cup.

“I continued in anticipation of my next step in life,” he say. “A time of change and transition, an opportunity for a new adventure.”

Bale made his debut for Wales on 27 May 2006, in friendly matches against Trinidad and Tobago, and the speedy winger helped Wales reach the semi-finals of the 2016 European Championships, where he lost to Portugal 2-0.

Wales qualify for Euro 2020 lost to Denmark in the round of 16then qualified for the World Cup for the second and first time since 1958. Bale scores equalizer in 1-1 draw against USA. Wales then conceded a goal in the second half of stoppage time in a tense match. lost 2-0 to Iran.

Bale broke Wales’ previous record of 28 goals set by Ian Rush. Bale’s appearances are also a Welsh record. He has won the Welsh Player of the Year award six times.

“How would I describe being a part of this country and what this team means to me? How do I articulate its impact on my life? How How can I express how I feel when I wear that Welsh outfit? shirt?” Bale said. “My answer is that I can’t do any of that in a fair way, simply with words. But I do know that everyone involved in Welsh football feels the magic. and affected in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel, without using any words at all.”

He joined Los Angeles FC from Real Madrid last June and helped his new team win the MLS championship, scoring the equalizer in the 128th minute in the final. LA went on to beat Philadelphia on penalties.

Bale plays for Southampton (2006-07), tottenham (2007-13, 2020-21) and Real Madrid (2013-22).

He joined Real Madrid after scoring his highest 21 Premier League career goals for Spurs in 2012-13. He scored double-digit league goals in four of his first five seasons with Madrid.

Associated Press report.

Top stories from FOX Sports:

Get more from FIFA World Cup 2022 Follow your favorites to get game info, news and more