The Welshman announced that he is leaving the competition with two posts on his social networks.
Gareth Bale, former Real Madrid player and current Los Angeles FC, announced his retirement from football, both at club and national team level, with a double statement on his social networks. Also a former Southampton and Tottenham player, he dedicated words to his fans at each of the clubs he played for as well as his supporters in the Wales team.
BALE’S CAREER AT REAL MADRID
Why did Gareth Bale leave football?
In his letter, the Welshman hints that his decision to leave football is due to the fact that during his career he will no longer be able to play as he did in previous years. “There have been 17 seasons at the highest level, which will be impossible to match, whatever the next chapter brings me.” were the words used in one of the two posts he posted on his social networks.
The messages on which Bale announced his retirement from football
The letter addressed to his fans:
“After careful and considered consideration I am announcing my immediate retirement from club and international football. I feel incredibly fortunate to have realized my dream of playing the game I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life It has been at the highest level for 17 seasons, which will be impossible to replicate no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.
From my first international match at Southampton to my last at LAFC and everything in between, I’ve built a career at club level for which I am immensely proud and grateful. Playing 111 times for my country and being captain is truly a dream come true.
It is impossible to express my gratitude to all those who have played their part in this journey. I owe so many people a debt of gratitude for helping me change my life and shape my career in ways I could never have dreamed of when I started at age 9.
I want to thank my clubs: Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC. I want to thank all my managers and coaches, staff, teammates, all the fans, my agents, my incredible friends and family… The impact it has had is immeasurable.
I want to thank my parents and my sister, without their dedication in those early days, without such a strong foundation, I wouldn’t be writing this statement right now, so thank you for putting me on this path and for your unconditional support.
I want to thank my wife and children, their love and support have supported me. They were by my side through all the ups and downs and kept me grounded along the way. You inspire me to get better and I make you proud.
Now I’m going to the next phase of my life. It is a time of change and transition, an opportunity for a new adventure…”
Farewell to the Wales team
“My decision to retire from international football has been by far the most difficult of my career.
How do I describe what it means to me to be part of this country and this team? How do I articulate the impact it has had on my life? How can I put into words what I felt every time I put on that Welsh shirt? My answer is that I couldn’t do any of those things justice just with words. But I know every single person involved in Welsh football feels the magic and is affected in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel, without using words.
My journey on the international stage has changed not only my life, but also who I am. Being lucky enough to be Welsh and selected to play and captain Wales has given me something incomparable to everything I’ve been through. I am humbled and honored to have been able to play a part in the history of this incredible country, to have felt the support and passion of the red wall, and to have been together in unexpected and amazing places.
I shared a dressing room with boys who became brothers and all the staff who became family, played for the most incredible coaches and felt the undying support and love of the most devoted fans in the world. Thank you to each of you for being on this journey with me.
So for now I’m taking a step back, but I’m not walking away from the team that lives inside me and flows through my veins. After all, the dragon on my shirt is all I need.”
Source: Goal