MLS Los Angeles FC

Gareth Bale Announces Retirement from Professional Football

January 9, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Los Angeles FC News Release


LAFC forward Gareth Bale announced his retirement from professional football today after an illustrious 18-year career, leaving the game as one of the most accomplished and decorated champions the sport has ever the seen.

"We want to thank Gareth for everything he brought to our Club," LAFC Co-President & General Manager John Thorrington said. "He arrived here with a goal to win championships in L.A., and, like he has done everywhere else in his career - he succeeded. It was an honor to have one of the most talented, dynamic and exciting players of his generation finish his career with a title for LAFC, and we wish Gareth, his wife Emma, and their family nothing but the best in their future endeavors."

Bale, 33, joined LAFC on June 27, 2022, after a nine-year career with LaLiga's Real Madrid. A five-time UEFA Champions League winner, Bale won an unprecedented 21 trophies since 2013.

During his time in Black & Gold he made 13 appearances and scored three goals. The Welsh international quickly claimed his status as a Club legend, scoring the equalizer with LAFC down a man in the 128th-minute of the 2022 MLS Cup Final to send the match against Philadelphia into penalty kicks, where LAFC would claim the Club's first MLS Cup and add another trophy to Bale's glittering resume.

One of the greatest Welsh players of all time, he made 111 appearances for Wales since 2006, scoring 40 goals and registering 22 assists across all competitions. Bale was instrumental in leading Wales to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, securing their first appearance in the tournament in 64 years. He also helped lead Wales into the Round of 16 of the UEFA 2020 European Championship.

Bale captained Wales at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and scored the equalizing goal in a 1-1 draw vs. the U.S. in the group stage match on Nov. 21. In his final international match, Bale played 45 minutes in the final group stage match against England on November 29.

A Cardiff, Wales native, Bale made his professional debut in 2006 at 16 with English Championship club Southampton before moving to Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League in 2007. During his time with Tottenham, he was named the PFA Men's Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012 and selected to the 2011 UEFA Team of the Year. He joined Cristiano Ronaldo as just the second player in history to win the PFA Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year when he did it in 2012. From 2007-2013 he scored 42 goals in 146 appearances for the Spurs. Bale also scored 11 goals and tallied two assists with Tottenham during the 2020-2021 EPL season while on loan from Real Madrid.

Bale joined Real Madrid in 2013 and finished his time there as an official club legend, making 258 appearances and registering 106 goals and 67 assists across all competitions - including 176 games in LaLiga. He was a major part of an incredible era at Real Madrid winning 19 trophies, including: five UEFA European Championships, four Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, three LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups. Bale scored goals in the 2014 and 2018 Champions League Final and was named the Best Player of the 2018 Champions League and won the Golden Ball at the 2018 Club World Cup.

Bale was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth of England on June 2, 2022 as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List. The award stands for "Member of the Order of the British Empire" and Bale received it for services to football and charity. Bale has donated significantly to hospitals in Wales and Spain to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

BALE BY THE NUMBERS

5 - UEFA Champions League Trophies

4 - FIFA Club World Cup Titles

3 - European Super Cup Championships

3 - LaLiga Championships

3 - Spanish Super Cup Trophies

1 - MLS Cup Championship

1 - MLS Supporters' Shield Title

1 - Copa Del Rey Title

1 - Golden Boot Award at the 2017-18 FIFA Club World Cup

1 - Premier League Player of the Year Award (2012-13)

6 - Wales Footballer of the Year Award

1 - 2008 English Football League Cup Trophy

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