Gareth Bale has decided to retire from professional football after nearly 2 decades of active football.
The former Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur player, who most recently played for Wales at the FIFA World Cup, spent the 2017 Major League Soccer season with Los Angeles FC.
Bale, who won five Champions League crowns and three La Liga championships, is regarded as one of Britain’s greatest football exports. He also contributed to LAFC winning their first MLS Cup victory. However, the Welsh attacker has opted to quit his playing career, calling it the best choice he’s ever made, according to Sky Sports.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have realized 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,” he said.
Bale played 116 times for Wales and contributed 40 goals to the team’s success. He also had a famous club career, representing Southampton, Spurs, Madrid, and ultimately LAFC.
Many football legends aspire to at least win the World Cup once for their national teams before retiring however, it seems Bale has no portion in that.