It was a moment that Welsh football had been anticipating for what seemed like an eternity—a long-awaited occurrence that a nation had pushed to the back of its mind out of concern that it might come to pass.
Even so, when it finally happened, Gareth Bale’s retirement announcement was still a massive shock. Wales could see this day coming, but not right now.
Bale’s dominance of the final stages of his glittering career at Real Madrid and Wales’ participation in the previous two major tournaments fueled years of speculation about his future.
Optimists clung to the fact that he had pledged to “keep going as long as I can and as long as I’m wanted” when he left the World Cup. Some people had the fantasy that he might have continued for ever; He did at times appear to be immortal.
However, time cannot be avoided. Bale had been showing signs of slowing down as his body took the toll of a superhuman 17-year career, even though 33 might seem like a young age to retire.
Even though Bale appeared to be losing some of his earlier powers, he had continued to defy logic and summon spells even as he appeared to be losing others.
His retirement signifies not only the end of arguably Wales’ greatest player, but also the beginning of the end of the greatest footballing era in the nation’s history.
Bale elevated Wales to new heights, symbolizing his nation’s transformation from underdogs to regulars in major tournaments.
In doing as such, he rose above his game, a marvelous competitor whose worldwide prestige carried Ridges to the world’s consideration.
It is nearly impossible to quantify such an impact, and although it is simplistic to reduce Bale’s career to numbers and achievements, they should be reiterated.
When Real Madrid bought him from Tottenham for £85 million in 2013, they made him the most expensive footballer in the world. During his nine years in Spain, he scored more than 100 goals and helped Real win three La Liga titles and five Champions League titles.
He also has a lot of individual awards in his trophy cabinet, like two PFA Player of the Year awards and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award.
Another national men’s record, Bale’s unrivaled Wales career ended as the nation’s all-time leading scorer with 41 goals from 111 appearances.
However impressive these feats are, they are only one aspect of Bale’s story. To truly appreciate his talent, you had to see him in action.
Bale was more than just the main character in one of his most successful films; He was the one who kept writing his own scripts that were barely plausible and, most astonishingly, kept bringing them to life with displays of powers from another world.
When you watch old clips of his goals for Tottenham, you’ll be mesmerized by his insane long-range shooting, sloppy dribbling, and incredible athleticism.
His goals at Real Madrid were as impressive as they were significant, from his daring run from his own half in the 2014 Copa del Rey final victory over Barcelona to his jaw-dropping overhead kick against Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final, one of the greatest goals in the competition’s history.
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Charles was named the best male footballer in Wales. Despite the opulence of his club accomplishments, Bale was probably at his most heroic while playing for Wales.
Bale had a difficult start to international football when he made his debut in 2006 when he was 16 years old. Wales sat outside the top 100 in the world rankings as recently as 2011.
Bale, along with stars like Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey, elevated Wales to new heights as the leader of his nation’s golden generation.
He scored the most goals for Wales in qualifying for Euro 2016, bringing an end to a 58-year absence from major tournaments, and he put on a string of outstanding performances in France as Wales advanced to a historic first semi-final.
Bale led Wales to their holy grail, a first World Cup since 1958, after captaining them to qualification for the next European Championship, where they again reached the knockout stages.
Bale’s development as a player during this time period demonstrated his singular and transformative talent.
Bale had to adjust to life without those physical weapons six years later, but he still possessed the unique quality necessary to score all three of Wales’ goals as they defeated Austria and Ukraine to finally qualify for the World Cup. His fearsome pace and direct running tormented opponents on the way to Euro 2016.
It was fitting that Bale’s final goal for Wales would be the nation’s first World Cup goal since 1958, despite Wales’ disappointing group stage exit last year.
Bale, like his teammates, coaches, and fans, was deflated by Wales’ performances in Qatar. As he waved to the fans after England’s defeat, there was a sense that a final goodbye was coming.
That hopelessness will fade over time. Bale can be proud of the crucial role he played in leading Wales to their first World Cup appearance in 64 years.
The same is true for his time working for Real Madrid. When he thinks back on the trophy-laden nine years he spent in Spain, which made him the most successful British football export of all time, a vicious end will fade from his memory.
However, his legacy with Wales will be more significant to Bale.
Even though club football is the sport’s most popular form, Bale thought that playing for his country was the best thing ever.
In 2018, when Real Madrid defeated Liverpool in the Champions League final, he scored a spectacular overhead kick. His first thought after the final whistle was to grab the Welsh flag and drape it around his shoulders as he made a lap of honor around the pitch.
After receiving criticism from Spanish media and fans for what they perceived to be a lack of commitment while he battled injuries a year later, Bale further provoked their ire by stating, ” Playing for Wales definitely gives me more excitement.
That was nothing compared to the outrage in Madrid when Bale was seen laughing next to his Wales teammates who were holding a banner that read: “After securing qualification for Euro 2020 Wales. Golf. Madrid. in that sequence.”
It was effectively the end of his relationship with Real, which had become increasingly contentious, but for Wales fans, it only made their hero, an unapologetic champion of Wales, more appealing.
Bale has done more to raise Wales’ international profile than anyone else, sporting or otherwise.
It was telling that Bale wrote a separate message for his country when he announced his retirement on Monday.
He stated, “I shared a dressing room with boys who turned into brothers and backroom staff who turned into family.”
“I felt the unwavering love and support of the world’s most devoted fans and played for the most incredible managers. I appreciate each and every one of you accompanying me on this journey.
“Since the dragon on my shirt is all I need, so for the time being I am stepping back but not away from the team that lives in me and runs through my veins,”
There are players who have the ability to motivate teams, others who have the ability to lead them to victory, and even rarer are the players who become synonymous with their clubs or nations.
Few people can claim to have shaped a nation for a generation.
But Bale can.
