Soccer star Gareth Bale (33, Wales) took off his soccer boots after 17 years of professional life.
Bale said on SNS (social media) on the 9th (Korean time), “After much thought, I announce my retirement from the Welsh national team and club football.” The past 17 seasons have been full of the best times, and whatever the next chapter of my life will be, it will never be like it.”
Bale, who was the world’s best winger, repeatedly won 1-on-1 fights with ‘strongest fullback’ Maicon (Brazil) in 2010 and left numerous famous scenes, including a hat-trick with his left foot. The scene of scoring the winning goal with a fantastic overhead kick against Liverpool in the 2017-18 season UEFA Champions League (UCL) final is deeply embedded in the minds of many soccer fans. Although frequent injuries hampered his performance at the end of his career, he left a legacy for 17 years.
Growing up in England’s professional football Southampton youth system, Bale made his professional debut in 2006 at the age of 16 by playing in a championship (second division) match. He was a cotyledon ready to become. He finished the 2006–07 season with five goals and 11 assists in 38 Championship appearances, and was named in the League’s Best 11.
With his performance at this time, he entered the English Premier League (EPL) Tottenham. The 18-year-old Bale was the back-up fullback for Korean soccer legend Lee Young-pyo. His speed as he ran on the pitch with his shaggy long hair fluttering was especially outstanding. However, at that time, his skills were not fully matured.
Originally a full-back, Bale switched to winger under manager Harry Redknapp. After that, his potential exploded. In the 2012-13 season, he scored 21 goals and 4 assists in 33 league games, writing a career high, and received a love call from Spain’s prestigious Real Madrid.
He left a remarkable mark at Real Madrid. For 10 years since 2013, he has been honored by winning numerous competitions, including 3 times in the Spanish Primera Liga, 5 times in the UCL, and 4 times in the FIFA Club World Cup. Bale was in charge of one axis of the BBC line (Bale-Karim Benzema-Cristiano Ronaldo) that will be talked about for a long time in football history. 온라인바카라
Bale, who lost his place at Real due to frequent injuries, moved on loan to Tottenham, his ‘parent’ in 2020, and ate a pot of rice with Son Heung-min. Bale, who gradually regained his sharpness, boasted of perfect harmony with Son Heung-min. Even off the field, the two stayed close, forming a group called the ‘Welsh Mafia’.
Son Heung-min, who heard the news of his colleague’s retirement, said on social media, “Tottenham and the legend of the football world. Congratulations on an amazing career. Good luck in the next chapter, friend.” Bale replied, “Thank you Sonny.”
Bale scored 41 goals in 111 appearances as a member of the Wales national team. It is the record for the most appearances and the most goals in domestic A matches. Bale, who contributed to Wales’ advance to the World Cup finals after 64 years, also led the team wearing the captain’s armband at the 2022 Qatar tournament. He achieved everything and ended his career at Los Angeles FC of the American Major League Soccer (MLS)