Bale’s farewell and outpouring of support

Gareth Bale announced his retirement from international as well as club soccer on Monday. Wales head coach Rob Page and Welsh fans across the world have since expressed immense love and support for the Welsh legend, reflecting on his impactful career.

Bale’s farewell

Gareth Bale is retiring at the age of 33 following an impressive career. He retires as Wales’ all-time leading scorer with 41 goals in 111 caps, while also taking The Dragons to a Euro semifinal in 2016 and their first World Cup in 64 years in 2022.

“It’s phenomenal what he’s done, not just for us from a footballing point of view, but as a nation as well,” said Wales head coach Rob Page. “He’s put Wales on the map.”

Wales was eliminated from the 2022 World Cup in the group stage after a 3-0 loss to England, but it was the furthest the nation had come in 64 years, and Bale led them there.

“Nobody can ever compare what Bale has done for us,” said a Wales fan after one of their World Cup matches. “No one will have a career for Wales like he has.”

Bale has received support from fans of his former clubs as well, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid. Bale ends his career with over 550 appearances, 186 goals, and 139 assists. At Tottenham, he scored 72 goals in 237 appearances.

Bale won the Premier League Player of the Season and Premier League Young Player of the Season in the 2012-13 season, just before he made his move to Real Madrid. He won Welsh Footballer of the Year for six years in a row, between 2010 and 2016. In total, Bale won 18 trophies, making him one of the most highly-decorated soccer players in the modern era.