Gareth Bale - Retires at 33

[O 20,759]

Probably one of the biggest wastes of talent I've ever seen, despite an impressive trophy haul and international career.

His goal vs Liverpool in the 2018 CL final will be difficult to top. Iconic.

 

[hdcantona 9,140]

3 hours ago, O said:

Probably one of the biggest wastes of talent I've ever seen, despite an impressive trophy haul and international career.

His goal vs Liverpool in the 2018 CL final will be difficult to top. Iconic.

 

If going down as your nations greatest player, maybe even sportsman of all time is a waste then I hope I waste my talents

Best UK player in la Liga history, as clutch as it gets, i grew up thinking we'd never even make a tournament, and this man led us to three including a semi final run which inspired a nation, Wales is now a football nation not a rugby nation and it's largely due to this legend and his teammates 

I'm so sad to see him go, but so glad I got to witness his entire career and see him play live numerous times 

An icon and perhaps more importantly a tremendous character throughout 

 

 

[O 20,759]

7 hours ago, hdcantona said:

If going down as your nations greatest player, maybe even sportsman of all time is a waste then I hope I waste my talents

Best UK player in la Liga history, as clutch as it gets, i grew up thinking we'd never even make a tournament, and this man led us to three including a semi final run which inspired a nation, Wales is now a football nation not a rugby nation and it's largely due to this legend and his teammates 

I'm so sad to see him go, but so glad I got to witness his entire career and see him play live numerous times 

An icon and perhaps more importantly a tremendous character throughout 

 

 

Not in The PL 100 goals club. Not in The La Liga 100 goals club. Not even on 50+ goals for Wales like other snipers for international minnows, such as Džeko, Mitrović and Robbie Keane.

I wouldn't put Bale among the top 50 players of all time.

He could have had a better individual career had he taken it more seriously. He's been semi-retired since The 2018 CL final.

[PVAD 4,635]

Thought he could still do a job at a Brighton or Brentford or a top Championship side.

Edited January 10 by PVAD

[Eddie 628]

At his peak - he was an amazing player to watch. Loved that counter-attacking Real Madrid team, with Bale, Benzema & Ronaldo as the front three.

5 Champions League Titles. Incredible.

Fairplay to him. He's retired from the game at the age of 33, where he's still young enough to take on a new career in whatever he wants really. He's obviously accomplished everything he wanted in the game and has made enough money to set him & his family up for the foreseeable future.

 

 

[hdcantona 9,140]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/10/gareth-bale-inspirational-generational-talent-wales?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

This sums it up perfectly 

 

[TheManc 4,063]

Never understand people saying he wasted his talent.

He was a huge reason behind as many CL wins as we have in our history. So what if he peaked early and didn't roar into his 30s?

[hdcantona 9,140]

6 minutes ago, TheManc said:

Never understand people saying he wasted his talent.

He was a huge reason behind as many CL wins as we have in our history. So what if he peaked early and didn't roar into his 30s?

Plus he's 33 but he made his Wales debut in 2006, I'm a believer that those who play loads when younger wear out a bit sooner, 17 years give or take at the top flight is a lot 

[O 20,759]

2 minutes ago, TheManc said:

Never understand people saying he wasted his talent.

He was a huge reason behind as many CL wins as we have in our history. So what if he peaked early and didn't roar into his 30s?

If he didn't score those 2 goals vs Liverpool in 2018, I doubt he'd be remembered as fondly. Some are calling him the greatest British player of all time.

It took him awhile to get going at Spurs, so it's not like he was Rooney or Fabregas at 18. He had a good 6-7 years from late 2010 to mid 2018.

He's on 553 club career appearances. Rooney, Fabregas, Suárez, etc. They all had way more miles covered than Bale by 33. All centurions for their countries also.

Bale puts into perspective just how good Ronaldo was.