"After careful consideration, I am announcing my immediate retirement from club and selection football," wrote the former Real Madrid winger, five-time Champions League winner, who ended his career in the club, on his social media. United States Championship at Los Angeles FC.

The Welsh winger with a bun won fifteen titles during his nine years in Madrid: three Ligas (2017, 2020, 2022), a Spanish Cup (2014) and, therefore, five Champions Leagues (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022).

Real fans probably remember his performance in the C1 final in 2018, when he scored twice against Liverpool (3-1), including a fabulous acrobatic return.

Upon his arrival in the Spanish capital, he formed with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema the formidable attacking trio "BBC".

Before that, Bale had impressed Premier League fans in the Tottenham jersey (2007-2013 then 2020-2021 on loan), piling up spectacular and solitary goals.

But his finest moments, Gareth Bale has undoubtedly experienced them in selection.

Adored player in Wales, Bale concluded his career with the red jersey struck by the dragon, at the World Cup-2022.

Both the top scorer and the most capped player (110) in the history of the Welsh selection (41), he managed to bring his country back to the World Cup, 64 years after his last qualification for the planetary tournament.

Gareth Bale scorer for Real Madrid in the Champions League final, May 26, 2018 in kyiv © FRANCK FIFE / AFP / Archives

In an open letter to his "Welsh family", the native of Cardiff also admitted that ending his international career had been "the hardest decision (...) of his career, by far".

“My journey on the international stage has not only changed my life but also who I am. that I lived."

© 2023 AFP