The future of Wales in front of Gareth Bale has been the subject of much interest in the past few years, when his contract at Real Madrid start to reduce the wind. But now he’s on his way to Major League Soccer… with LAFC!
Most expensive player of all time in 2013, when he moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid for 100 million euros ($106 million), Bale’s career in Spain was filled with trophies (including five Champions Leagues, three La Ligas, three UEFA Super Cups and one Copa del Rey) and controversy (mainly about his injury record, perceived lack of commitment to the club and love of golf.)
With his contract – club costs about 60 million euros a seasonmaking him one of the top five highest paid players in the world – expiring this summer, sources told ESPN that the 32-year-old is prepared to retire from football if Wales are unable to attend the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. But Wales beat Ukraine 1-0 to claim UEFA’s final place in the knockout round and will open their tournament with USA on November 21.
Bale therefore needs a new club to stay fit until November and is linked with a return to Wales with Cardiff City in the English Championship.
But the attraction of Los Angeles loomed and Bale chose to move to the City of Angels, following in the footsteps of the veteran Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chielliniwho did so earlier this month.
Here’s how social media reacts to the news and also a look at Bale’s influence on the game.
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Bale confirms his move
See you soon, Los Angeles. @LAFC @ LAFC3252 pic.twitter.com/GVP8WVWLPe
– Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 25, 2022
Gareth Bale in his new LAFC series pic.twitter.com/Zx5YqWC3ny
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 25, 2022
Always destined for MLS?
Gareth Bale said this in 2020 pic.twitter.com/xjMnxi6FAl
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 25, 2022
The good life in America
▪️ Top of the Supporter’s Shield leaderboard
▪️ Sign Giorgio Chiellini
▪️ Sign Gareth Bale
▪️ Re-sign Carlos VelaGood life for LAFC pic.twitter.com/46FVtxTUUY
– B/R Football (@brfootball) June 25, 2022
Gareth Bale
Lorenzo Insigne
Xherdan Shaqiri
ChicharitoAll in MLS. ️ pic.twitter.com/EiLhntosfG
– Tom Bogert (@tombogert) June 25, 2022
Jokes about golf
😉😉😉 pic.twitter.com/cCmDtoSMho
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 25, 2022
Wales. Golf. LAFC.#LAFC #Bale pic.twitter.com/0ZGuvhMSqj
– Chris (@_el_chris) June 25, 2022
The real reason Bale signed with LAFC pic.twitter.com/Uc3h7SA6Ar
– El Moon Doughh (@moon_doughh) June 25, 2022
Bale’s most memorable moments so far
That goal
💥 @GarethBale11His aerial kick in the Champions League final was nominated for the 2018 FIFA Puskas Award! #RMUCL pic.twitter.com/48xQBEn7HB
– Real Madrid CF (@realmadriden) September 3, 2018
That support
This support from Real Madrid’s Bale 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/IUMB7Ds1a8
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 25, 2022
Run there
💨 Run 60 meters EPIC there… to win the final!
@GarethBale11
🏆 Copa del Rey 2013/14
@FCBarcelona @futbolmahou | #TheTasteThatUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/LVLKjRLguf– Real Madrid CF (@realmadriden) April 16, 2020
Bale’s influence on football
Key stats (via ESPN Stats & Information research)
– He scored 106 goals in 258 matches for Real Madrid
– 71 goals in 237 games for Tottenham
– 5 goals in 45 games for Southampton
– He won 19 major trophies with Real Madrid, including 5 UEFA Champions League titles. The only player in history with more European championships is Paco Gento (six).
– He is the all-time leading scorer for Wales (39 goals in 105 games) but has yet to play a World Cup final in his career.
– He will be the sixth Welsh player to play in the MLS.
Tottenham
Real Madrid
