Gareth Bale Announces Retirement From International and Club Level Football
The Welsh football legend captained Wales to their first world cup since 1958
Last updated 9th Jan 2023
Welsh Football captain Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from club and international football at the age of 33.
In the first of two twitter statements, Bale says ' I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love.
'Playing for and captaining my country 111 times has truly been a dream come true.'
Gareth Bale captained Wales to their first World Cup since 1958 last year and saw Wales reach the semi-finals of the Euros in 2016.
Scoring 41 goals for his country, including one against the USA at Wales's world cup opening match places him as the top goal scorer ever for his country.
In a second statement dedicated to his international career, Bale wrote 'the fortune of being Welsh and being selected to play for and captain Wales, has given me something incomparable to anything else I have experienced.
'I am honoured and humbled to have been able to play a part in the history of this incredible country, to have felt the support and passion of the red wall, and together have been to unexpected and amazing places.
'The dragon on the shirt is all I need'.
First Minister Mark Drakeford responded to the news, saying 'A sad day but also one to celebrate a true Welsh great. You showed us what we could achieve and made our dreams a reality'.