Gareth Bale Retires: Assessing the Welshman’s Career, Stats and Achievements

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On Monday, Gareth Bale announced his retirement from both club and international football – bowing out as one of the greatest British players of all time.

The former Wales captain, 33, is the nation’s most-capped male player and record men’s goalscorer, having netted 40 goals in 111 for the Dragons.

At club level, Bale will best be remembered for winning five Champions League titles with Real Madrid – including three in a row between 2016 and 2018.

After coming through Southampton’s academy, Bale made his professional debut for the Saints back in 2006. The following year, he joined Tottenham Hotspur and swiftly began to show his true potential.

Between 2007 and 2013, the Cardiff-born winger bagged 90 goals and 64 assists in 203 appearances for Spurs. Having cemented his status as one of the best players on the planet, he joined Real Madrid for £85 million.

Bale won everything there was to win at the Bernabeu. In addition to five Champions League crowns, he helped Los Blancos claim three La Liga titles, three Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de Espana.

During his nine years in Spain, the speedy forward racked up 106 goals and 67 assists in 258 games. Only 16 players in history have scored more goals for Real Madrid than Bale.

After returning to Tottenham on loan during the 2020-21 season, Bale joined Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC in 2022. Unsurprisingly, he scored in the MLS Cup Final as LAFC won their first-ever title.

Despite his achievements at club level, Bale will always be remembered for his desire to represent his country. The former captain produced clutch moment after clutch moment in a red jersey, often singlehandedly winning games for Wales.

Bale played a key role in Wales’ magical run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, scoring in all three group games in France. Six years later, he scored against the USA at the 2022 World Cup – earning his side a precious point in Qatar.

Although he struggled for fitness during the latter stages of his career – leading to limited game time – few would argue that Bale is not among the greatest-ever British players.

From his blistering run against Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey final to his iconic overhead kick against Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final, Bale’s goals and achievements will be matched by very few.