Welsh football star, Gareth Bale, has retired from club and international football. 
The five-times Champions League winner and Wales’ top scorer and most-capped player announced his retirement in a tweet he shared today, January 9. Bale who recently represented his nation at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he took his total to 41 goals in 111 caps for his country, ahead of second-placed Ian Rush (28 goals) and third-placed Christ Gunter (109 caps), rose to prominence as a full-back with Tottenham where he made a brief return in 2020-21. The 33-year-old footballer who also played for Los Angeles FC, Southampton, and Real Madrid, made his final competitive appearance during Wales’ World Cup group stage fixture with England on November 29. 
During his playing days, Bale won five Champions Leagues with Real Madrid, the joint-second highest tally ever behind Los Blancos legend Paco Gento, as well as three La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey trophy. Announcing his retirement, Bale wrote; “After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football. 
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life. From my very first touch at Southampton to my last with LAFC and everything in between, shaped a club career that I have an immense pride and gratitude for. “Playing for and captaining my country 111 times has truly been a dream come true. To my previous clubs, Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC. All of my previous managers and coaches, back room staff, team mates, all the dedicated fans, my agents, my amazing friends and family, the impact you have had is immeasurable. So, I move on with anticipation to the next stage of my life. A time of change and transition, an opportunity for a new adventure” pic.twitter.com/QF7AogJXHE — Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) January 9, 2023