Gareth Bale wants a long-term career with LAFC and targets Euro 2024
The 32-year-old is looking forward to making his debut in Major League Soccer and wants to keep playing for Wales past the FIFA World Cup.
Gareth Bale’s current contract with the Los Angeles Football Club will run through the 2024 season but he could extend his stay in Major League Soccer. The Welshman’s short term goal is to be in top shape for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and win the MLS Cup with LAFC this season.
Bale wants to leave his mark in MLS
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to the future. It’s not just a short thing, as I said. Also gives me the best opportunity to keep going to the next Euros, maybe further, so my plan is to really work hard. It’s a great physical team, medical staff, performance traffic at the training ground, and yeah, we’ve got a great plan going forward to get me up to speed and hopefully last as long as possible.”
Hopefully now I can play my part and take this club hopefully to the next level and try to win a trophy. I haven’t come here for the short-term,” said the Welshman. “I want to make my mark on this league like I’ve said, and I think by being here iit gives me the best possible chance to get to the Euros and maybe even one more.
“That is my goal. I feel like I’m here to play a big part, and like I keep saying, I’m really looking forward to getting started to play with my new teammates and go from there,” added Bale during the press conference held at the Banc of California on Monday evening.
Gareth Bale trained for the first time with the rest of his new teammates on Monday morning before attending his introductory press conference at the Banc of California stadium. The 32-year-old spoke highly of his new teammates and with the relationship he already had with Giorgio Chiellini, who joined the club last week. Bale also talked about why he decided to come to Los Angeles and play in Major League Soccer.
“It felt like the right destination to be at. Just the exciting project, the club that’s growing, obviously they are doing well as well at the moment, and yeah, the city’s not bad as well,” said Bale. “So yeah, it’s just an exciting project to be a part of. I want to try and help grow football in the U.S., as well, as a part of it I want to try and help the youngsters grow. I think for players who have experienced a lot in their career, I think we have a responsibility to grow the game all around the world as well. That plays a big part in it, as well.”