Wales superstar Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from international and club football with immediate effect.The Cardiff native led Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years at the end of 2022.Bale, 33, will go down as one of, if not the, greatest Welsh footballer of all time. Read more: Gareth Bale writes emotional letter to Wales as he quits football immediatelyIn a statement, he 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.
The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me."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 show my gratitude to all of those that have played their part along this journey, feels like an impossibility.