Gareth Bale is a retired Welsh player, widely regarded as one of, if not the greatest player in Welsh football history.
Arguably, he is also the most successful British player ever to play overseas.

Known for his blistering pace, powerful shot, and technical brilliance, Bale enjoyed a glittering career at the highest level of the game, winning three league titles in Spain with Real Madrid and five Champions League trophies.

So often the inspiration and talisman for Wales, Bale is his nation’s most capped male player of all-time with 111 appearances and top male goalscorer with 41 goals.

He was unquestionably the key Wales player in the qualification campaigns to reach Euro 2016, which was the country’s first major tournament finals appearance since 1958, and also the 2022 World Cup, Wales’ first appearance at the global competition also since 1958.

But it was not just Bale’s caps or achievements that set him apart. It was the memories he made for fans in scoring some of the most spectacular goals ever seen by a Welsh player.

Born in Cardiff in 1989, Bale began his professional career as a left-back with Southampton, making his debut in 2006 at just 16 years old.

His performances quickly caught the attention of Premier League clubs, and in 2007 he made the move to Tottenham Hotspur.
 
At Spurs, he transitioned from an attacking full-back to a dynamic winger, establishing himself as one of the most exciting talents in world football. 

His stunning hat-trick against Inter Milan in the 2010-11 Champions League cemented his reputation as a rising star.

Bale’s performances earned him a world-record transfer to Real Madrid in 2013 for a fee of £86 million. 

At the Spanish giants, he formed a formidable attacking trio alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, helping the club to a period of unprecedented success. 

During his time at Real Madrid, he won five Champions League titles, scoring in two finals, including a breathtaking overhead kick against Liverpool in 2018, widely judged to be the greatest goal ever seen in a European final. 

He also claimed three La Liga titles and one Copa del Rey title, with his solo goal in the 2014 Copa del Rey final against Barcelona being one of the most memorable moments of his career.

On the international stage, Bale was instrumental in transforming Wales into a competitive force. 

Making his senior debut in 2006, he went on to earn 111 caps and score 41 goals, making him Wales’ all-time leading goal-scorer. 

His leadership and talismanic performances were crucial in Wales’ historic run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, their first major tournament in over 50 years. 

He also captained Wales at the 2022 World Cup, their first appearance in the competition since 1958.

Despite his incredible success, Bale’s time at Real Madrid was not without its challenges.

Injuries and criticism from sections of the Spanish media at times overshadowed his contributions on the pitch. 

In 2019, he was famously accused by a section of the Spanish media of caring more about playing golf than he did about Real Madrid, a claim he mocked by standing behind Welsh flag held by his teammates that had “Wales. Golf Madrid. In that order” printed across it. 

But the undeniable facts are that Bale was a key figure in some of the club’s greatest triumphs, earning a reputation as a big-game player who delivered in crucial moments.

Towards the end of his career, Bale returned to Tottenham on loan for the 2020-21 season before moving to Major League Soccer (MLS) with Los Angeles FC in 2022. 

He played a vital role in LAFC’s MLS Cup triumph, scoring a dramatic late equaliser in the final against the Philadelphia Union, before LAFC won on penalties.

In early 2023, Bale announced his retirement from professional football, bringing an end to a career that saw him achieve legendary status in Wales.

Off the pitch, he has remained active in golf, a passion he pursued throughout his playing days, and has been involved in various charitable initiatives, supporting grassroots football in Wales.

Beyond football, Bale's interests extend into business and philanthropy. He has invested in several ventures, including property and hospitality, and remains committed to the development of sports in Wales. 

He has funded youth football initiatives and helped to improve facilities for young players in Wales.

Bale's retirement has not diminished his influence on the game. 

In the summer of 2025 he was the face of a US-based consortium who attempted to buy Plymouth Argyle and then Cardiff City, Bale’s home-town club.

Neither deal was successful.

He continues to work closely with the Football Association of Wales and has expressed interest in mentoring and coaching the next generation of Welsh players.