Gareth Bale’s Retirement and a Storied Real Madrid Chapter
The Welsh football icon announced his retirement, sealing a career filled with triumphs and controversy, much of it tied to his time at Real Madrid.
Gareth Bale ended his playing days with a professional note, confirming through a social media statement that he would not continue pursuing football on the pitch. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar would stand as the last competitive match of his career. Bale’s club journey spanned Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Los Angeles FC, and Real Madrid.
With Real Madrid, Bale reached the pinnacle of club football, collecting trophies and delivering memorable moments. Yet, his Madrid chapter carried its share of drama as the years progressed.
Though some view Bale’s time with the Whites as a mixed bag, his career in the Spanish capital remains marked by standout performances, decisive goals, and titles that many players would envy.
Retiring from the game, Bale will not dazzle fans with his pace, dribbling, or attacking flair on the field. It is a moment to review his career data as a Madrid player and reflect on the legacy he leaves behind.
How many goals did Gareth Bale score at Real Madrid
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Gareth Bale debuted for Real Madrid on September 14, 2013, in a visit to Villarreal at the venue then known as El Madrigal Stadium. A Carvajal cross from the baseline set up Bale, who struck with his right foot in the 38th minute to score his first goal in a Madrid shirt.
Over nine seasons, Bale accumulated 106 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid, with 81 in La Liga, 16 in the Champions League, 3 in the Copa del Rey, and 6 in the Club World Cup. He also contributed 68 assists across 258 appearances (176 La Liga, 57 Champions League, 13 Copa del Rey, 3 European Super Cup, 6 Club World Cup, 3 Spanish Super Cup).
Opta data places Bale as Real Madrid’s third-highest scorer in all competitions since 2013, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. He is also the club’s third-leading assist provider in the same period, trailing only Benzema and Ronaldo, and he has the most left-foot goals for Real Madrid in all competitions since his arrival in 2013, totaling 73. His best scoring season was 2013-14, when he netted 22 times in 44 appearances, while injuries limited him to 9 goals in 27 games in 2016-17.
How many titles has Gareth Bale won at Real Madrid?
Bale claimed 19 titles with Real Madrid, including five Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, one Copa del Rey, and three Spanish Super Cups.
How many goals did Gareth Bale score in the final with Real Madrid
Many applaud Bale for rising to big moments rather than fading in the spotlight. He earned a reputation as a “man of the final” through several decisive performances. In his first season with Madrid, his solo run against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final showcased his ability to influence a final on a grand stage, and his headed goal in Lisbon helped Madrid triumph in the 2014 Champions League final versus Atletico Madrid in conjunction with Ángel Di María. That same year, Madrid won the Club World Cup in Morocco against San Lorenzo de Almagro, adding another final victory to his record.
In 2014, Bale contributed a notable goal in another final against San Lorenzo, and in the 2018 Champions League final in Kiev, his two goals against Liverpool, including a stunning strike, were pivotal to securing the title for Madrid. One goal involved a memorable sequence that remains among the most celebrated strikes in European finals. He also scored in the shootout in the 2016 Champions League final, which Madrid won against Atletico Madrid in Milan.
How many injuries did Gareth Bale have at Real Madrid?
Bale’s Real Madrid story includes significant injury setbacks. He suffered more than 28 injuries in Madrid, leading to missed time across many seasons and more than 100 games not played. The most severe came in Lisbon against Sporting, affecting the peroneal tendons of his right ankle and sidelining him from November 2016 to February 2017. That stretch kept him out for 84 days and caused him to miss 17 Madrid matches. Earlier, a calf tear kept him sidelined for about 45 days. Muscle issues, tears, and other injuries punctuated his Madrid years but did not erase the impact he made when fit.
In the end, Bale’s Madrid career is remembered for both spectacular highs and long absences, a testament to his undeniable talent and the physical toll the game can demand.
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