Gareth Bale retired from football

Bale announced his retirement

Gareth Bale' announcement

In his tweet, he announced:

"After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football."

The decision to retire from international football was, according to Bale, "by far the hardest of my career."

"My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life, but who I am."

He also wrote about the importance of football in his life:

"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."

Bale made an impression while playing and quickly established himself as one of the top players in the world of soccer. Bale spent his childhood years at Southampton before getting his big break at Tottenham Hotspur. After excelling for Spurs, Bale secured a huge transfer to Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

The Welshman amassed a sizable resume while with Los Blancos, taking home three La Liga championships, one Copa Del Rey, three UEFA Super Cups, three Club World Cups, and five Champions League crowns.

Bale had great contributions for Wales

Despite his achievements, he had a love-hate relationship with the club's supporters and the Spanish media during his time there, which led to his joining MLS team Los Angeles FC last summer. In addition, the 33-year-old established himself as a national team icon by leading Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years in 2022.

People’s reactions to his announcement

After announcement about retirement, Bales receives many positive reactions as well as the love and greatful that clubs and players gave for him.

Real Madrid has declared their "affection and admiration for a great legend" of their team:

"Real Madrid want to show their thanks, admiration, and love for a great legend of our club and world football. Gareth Bale was part of our team in one of the most successful eras in our history and will forever represent many of the brightest moments of the past decade. His figure will always be linked to the history and legend of our club. "Lots of luck, Gareth, and our best wishes to you and your family."

Tottenham Hotspur also showed their gratitude for Bale’s contribution to the club:

"Thank you for everything, @GarethBale11. Congratulations on an incredible career."

Bale was called a "genius" in another tweet, and another stated that "he was born to play for Spurs."

Tottenham's tweet

England's captain Harry Kane's squad who faced Wales in the World Cup also have share with former Spurs teammate Bale. Bale's retirement announcement was tweeted by the striker, who wrote:

"Congrats on an amazing career, it was a pleasure to have played together. All the best with whatever’s next!"

Bale's teammate during his second stint at Spurs, Son Heung-min, wrote:

"A legend of Spurs and a legend of football. Congratulations on an amazing career @GarethBale11 !! Wishing you the best luck in your next chapter mate.”

Ryan Mason, who played alongside Bale at Tottenham, tweeted:

"It was a pleasure to both play with you and then coach you during your journey. You leave the game as a true great, and someone who produced some of the most iconic moments in the history of football."

Former Southampton and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp praised Bale as a "great footballer."

"He could just do everything. He could run long distances, sprint at amazing speed, shoot with both feet, head it, and dribble, and his physique was incredible. He was the full package and a smashing guy. He had everything as a player."

What does Bale do after retiring from football?

In the final tweet, Bale shared:

"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."

Although Bale has not revealed what he will do after retirement, many of the Welshman's supporters are sarcastically urging him to pursue one of his other loves. It is golf.

The 33-year-old sports enthusiast enjoys other sports as well. The Welshman is well known for being a devoted golfer and admirer. One crucial incident that contributed to Bale's downfall in the Spanish city was when he was photographed rejoicing with a Welsh flag that read: "Golf, Wales, and Madrid, and in that order."

Gareth Bale famously celebrated with a "Wales, Golf, Madrid" banner after qualifying for Euro 2020

Social media users have made jokes about Gareth Bale joining the LIV Golf Series after he retires from football. With massive funding from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, LIV has emerged as a fresh contender on the PGA Tour, the top circuit in the sport.

Following Bale's retirement, supporters immediately connected the Welshman's name to the Saudi-sponsored series, according to one Twitter user. "So Bale is going to be transitioning to LIV golf, right?!"

Bloomberg journalist Vincent Lee joined the conversation, tweeting: "Waiting for LIV Golf to pay some crazy money to Gareth Bale to play a few rounds of golf."

For his outstanding football career, Gareth Bale is certainly admired and supported by many of his fans, although it is unclear what he will do after retiring from football.