Gareth Bale, 33, declares his retirement from football.

At the age of 33, Welsh player Gareth Bale declared his retirement from the football.
he stated in a statement posted to his social media accounts.
"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. I feel indebted to many people for helping to change my life and shape my career in a way I couldn’t have ever dreamed of when I first started out at nine years old.
“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.”
In 2006, Bale started his professional career at Southampton. The following year, he earned a £7 million transfer to Tottenham Hotspur. He had a transformation with the London club, going from a left-back to a more offensive player, and he became a crucial member of the team under manager Harry Redknapp. Due to his rising stardom, he transferred to the Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid for a then-record £85 million transfer price.
He had a great deal of success in Spain, taking home five Champions League trophies, three La Liga championships, and three FIFA Club World Cups. He had a rocky connection with the fans throughout his tenure at Real Madrid, which led to a brief loan transfer back to Tottenham during the 2020–21 season. The Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup were won by Los Angeles FC that season after he joined the league and eventually left Real Madrid in 2022.
Bale is Wales' most-capped player and leading scorer with 111 appearances on the international stage. He has also scored 41 goals, making him the nation's most prolific player overall. By assisting them in Qatar at the conclusion of last year, they were able to advance to Euro 2016, Euro 2020, and their first World Cup since 1958.