Bale

[quetzal]

Thank you for the memories Gareth Bale. Wales were a rabble in the late 90’s (Hughes failed in 2003 qualifying) and then for about 15-20 years after. People pulling out of games, faking injury. Complete failure! You were the talisman that fronted a band of brothers that took us out of the boondocks of international football ranking 117th (2011) in the world to 8th in 2015. And the the semi finals of Euro 2016 was pure fantasy land. Cheers buddy and all the best in your retirement. Diolch

[cymru888]

FAW need to organise a testimonial style friendly here, even if he only plays 5 minutes. Limping off at half time against England wasn’t the fitting send off he deserves.

[dai]

Greatest Welsh player of all time.

I'm surprised but not shocked. The writing was on the wall after his stint in the MLS and the WC unfortunately.

Can't help but think it's been a sad end to his career, what with his injuries, poor form and ultimately a very poor WC. 

A part of me felt maybe the dissapointment of the WC would give him some extra drive and motivation, to go and finish his career on a high, but obviously, his body just isn't there anymore. 

The only strange thing is that not long ago he said he want to 'play on as long as he can'.......

[welwyn]

Now I wonder if the Symons sacking is to be able to having Bale on the coaching staff.

[dai]

Jan 9, 2023 15:34:14 GMT welwyn said:

Now I wonder if the Symons sacking is to be able to having Bale on the coaching staff.

Yes, I was thinking that as well.

[erasedcitizen]

Jan 9, 2023 15:32:44 GMT cymru888 said:

FAW need to organise a testimonial style friendly here, even if he only plays 5 minutes. Limping off at half time against England wasn’t the fitting send off he deserves.

Set one up against Conte's Spurs. Not only would it be a fitting tribute, but it'd be a much needed confidence booster for the lads.

[cynonvalley]

There should be a friendly game for Gareth. Would be very disappointed if there isn't a send off for him.

Friendly vs Argentina!

[cymro]

Devastated. Done more for Wales than any other athlete ever has. Legend. Diolch am bopeth.

[insertname]

Good decision.

[1gwaunview]

Thank you Gareth for all the wonderful moments you've given us over your career. We'd probably still be in the International wilderness without your inspired performances, especially up to and including Euro2016.
Diolch am popeth, a genuine legend of the game.

[insertname]

Jan 9, 2023 15:33:05 GMT dai said:

Greatest Welsh player of all time.

I'm surprised but not shocked. The writing was on the wall after his stint in the MLS and the WC unfortunately.

Can't help but think it's been a sad end to his career, what with his injuries, poor form and ultimately a very poor WC. 

A part of me felt maybe the dissapointment of the WC would give him some extra drive and motivation, to go and finish his career on a high, but obviously, his body just isn't there anymore. 

The only strange thing is that not long ago he said he want to 'play on as long as he can'.......

That was before the World Cup iirc. He obviously realised then that it’s not really working anymore and that it’s time to call it a day.

And to be fair, there isn’t a lot left that he can really achieve. A premier league winners medal is perhaps the most high profile thing missing that he could have realistically achieved. But at this stage he isn’t in the shape to win one so it makes sense, having ticked off the World Cup to just call it a day now.

[allezlesrouges]

Best ever from these islands, achieved everything it was possible to achieve at club level, and achieved the impossible at international level. Some of the most euphoric moments of my life I owe to him, he's changed the nation for good. I can't do him justice with words, just eternally thankful to him, a very sad day to see him finish! Diolch am bopeth Gareth!

[morg]

Jan 9, 2023 15:35:17 GMT dai said:

Jan 9, 2023 15:34:14 GMT welwyn said:

Now I wonder if the Symons sacking is to be able to having Bale on the coaching staff.

Yes, I was thinking that as well.

"Stepping back but not away from the team"

[rushy]

Comes as a bit of a shock to the system but when you consider things it's probably the right time to hang up his boots.
Gareth has undoubtedly been one of the best players the world has ever seen and everyone in Wales is so proud of him and his achievements in the game and as a true representative of our nation.
I hope he doesn't leave the game completely and is at least offered a position to become part of the Wales team set up either now or in the future.

[erasedcitizen]

The winner at home to Belgium which all but secured our place at Euro 2016.

The double against Austria to take us to a world cup play-off final, including the best free kick I've ever seen live.

The ball in against Ukraine to send us to our first World Cup in 64 years.

Our first World Cup goal for 64 years.

Our opening goal at Euro 2016.

That free kick against England at the same tournament.

The leaping header away at Cyprus in ridiculous conditions.

The absolute belter to win us the game at home to Scotland in 2012.

The hat-tricks against China and Belarus.

The winner in Andorra to keep Chris Coleman in a job.


41 international goals in 111 appearances. He holds the Welsh records in both.


Diolch Gareth Bale, for all the memories. Whatever he decides to do post-retirement, I wish him all the very best.

[bracklablue72]

There isn’t really much more to add to others compliments other than to say I feel truly privileged to have seen him perform for my country. Diolch Gareth, you are our best ever

[hooky]

Only one word is needed:

LEGEND

[hooky]

First post on this thread (from a deleted member):

Where does he go from here?

Given his performances you would think that firm offers will now be coming in at the end of the season, but to be honest I am of the thinking that it suits Wales better if he stays at Spurs.....

The thought that terrifies me most is that he goes to Man United, for a number of reasons. Of course, a major concern would be Fergie curtailing his Wales career. But I would also have concerns about his development there.

Look at Rooney, a nauseating prick granted, but as a youth a rough diamond who could dominate games, as per his performances in the Euros in Portugal for England. He could also score goals from all over the pitch. It now has to be accepted that Rooney has not developed as everybody hoped and I wonder how much of that is down to Ferguson taking the edge off of him by asking him to play certain rigid roles which has taken a bit of the spark and individuality off of him. United is, imo, not the sort of place where maverick players like Bale can flourish. Everyone seems to play within rigid roles to suit Fergie's systems and there is no room for the likes of Bale to go playing where he likes. Ronaldo is the exception here but he wasn't that sort of player when he was brought in. I certainly couldn't see Fergie bringing Bale in with the idea that he would have a free role, he would be stuck out on the left and told to waste his talent by runing up and down the wing all day just like Giggs was when (arguably) given his dribbling skills Giggs could have progressed like Bale if at a club where he was a bigger fish.

Outside of United the only other English clubs who could afford him are Man City and Chelsea, but I don't think I trust both of them to get the best out of him or trust them not to muck us about with their star asset either.

So that, for me, leaves Barcelona and Real Madrid, much safer options in terms of his development and also likelihood of him continuing to play in most of our matches. I would hope they would be the two favourites, but I can't help but feel that he will end up at United, the worst move he could make for himself and for us.

So in a lot of ways the ideal scenario for Wales (imo) remains staying with Spurs and continuing what he is doing now- for the time being at least. Being a big fish in a small pond means he can continue to dictate where he plays, in a team that is set up to give him the ball and let him do the rest- exactly (sadly) the same sort of scenario that Wales asks of him. How much better can Champions league football make him? He already seems to be on a different level to everyone else in the premier league without playing much champions league football. I don't think staying at Spurs is out of the question either, he seems to enjoy it there- providing he can get Champions League football there next season I imagine he would stay.

Perhaps I am being overly paranoid....

[hooky]

I think there should be a statue of him in Cardiff and at least a stand named after him (wish we could name a stadium after him).

What joy he has given us for over 15 years! What an incredible impact!

[morg]

Thought I'd be devastated when this happened but it's the right time for him and I'm excited to see what his continuing involvement with us entails. Wonder if the Bales will now return to live in Wales? Do your coaching badges butty and get involved in our set up. Could have a very important role to play for us yet!

Think Chris Gunter should now be forced to retire. He's a bit too close to being our most capped player 😂

[highbury06]

Jan 9, 2023 16:13:48 GMT morg said:

Thought I'd be devastated when this happened but it's the right time for him and I'm excited to see what his continuing involvement with us entails. Wonder if the Bales will now return to live in Wales? Do your coaching badges butty and get involved in our set up. Could have a very important role to play for us yet!

Think Chris Gunter should now be forced to retire. He's a bit too close to being our most capped player 😂

Can Gunts and Wayne reach 110 too and retire?😂

[insertname]

Jan 9, 2023 16:04:17 GMT hooky said:

First post on this thread (from a deleted member):

Where does he go from here?

Given his performances you would think that firm offers will now be coming in at the end of the season, but to be honest I am of the thinking that it suits Wales better if he stays at Spurs.....

The thought that terrifies me most is that he goes to Man United, for a number of reasons. Of course, a major concern would be Fergie curtailing his Wales career. But I would also have concerns about his development there.

Look at Rooney, a nauseating prick granted, but as a youth a rough diamond who could dominate games, as per his performances in the Euros in Portugal for England. He could also score goals from all over the pitch. It now has to be accepted that Rooney has not developed as everybody hoped and I wonder how much of that is down to Ferguson taking the edge off of him by asking him to play certain rigid roles which has taken a bit of the spark and individuality off of him. United is, imo, not the sort of place where maverick players like Bale can flourish. Everyone seems to play within rigid roles to suit Fergie's systems and there is no room for the likes of Bale to go playing where he likes. Ronaldo is the exception here but he wasn't that sort of player when he was brought in. I certainly couldn't see Fergie bringing Bale in with the idea that he would have a free role, he would be stuck out on the left and told to waste his talent by runing up and down the wing all day just like Giggs was when (arguably) given his dribbling skills Giggs could have progressed like Bale if at a club where he was a bigger fish.

Outside of United the only other English clubs who could afford him are Man City and Chelsea, but I don't think I trust both of them to get the best out of him or trust them not to muck us about with their star asset either.

So that, for me, leaves Barcelona and Real Madrid, much safer options in terms of his development and also likelihood of him continuing to play in most of our matches. I would hope they would be the two favourites, but I can't help but feel that he will end up at United, the worst move he could make for himself and for us.

So in a lot of ways the ideal scenario for Wales (imo) remains staying with Spurs and continuing what he is doing now- for the time being at least. Being a big fish in a small pond means he can continue to dictate where he plays, in a team that is set up to give him the ball and let him do the rest- exactly (sadly) the same sort of scenario that Wales asks of him. How much better can Champions league football make him? He already seems to be on a different level to everyone else in the premier league without playing much champions league football. I don't think staying at Spurs is out of the question either, he seems to enjoy it there- providing he can get Champions League football there next season I imagine he would stay.

Perhaps I am being overly paranoid....

It was me who wrote that. I was worried that leaving Spurs would result in him having to become a more disciplined team player and in a way that was what happened as he went to Madrid and played more of a regimented orthodox role on the left of a front three and he wasn’t picking up the ball in midfield and driving at defences as he did in his prime for Spurs. I recall seeing him away to Israel where he took the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring a free kick and winning a sending off as they couldn’t handle his dribbling. I don’t recall too many performances like that afterwards, it was around that time that he started to transition to a player who just popped up in the right place to get on the end of something.

Whilst he lost his trademark ability to dribble at pace and then score from outside the box with ease he was always able to score a crucial goal. That ability certainly never left him and became his hallmark in place of the barnstorming runs.

For me the best, most crucial goal of all was the free kick against Andorra. Who knows how it would have turned out had he missed, but it would have been massively difficult to draw against the bottom seed and qualify. That free kick needed to go in. And it bloody well did. The next ten years were built on top of that free kick as it’s very foundations, what a legacy that is to claim.

[bale-droed]

Where do you want your statue Gareth ?

[robin1864]

Jan 9, 2023 16:00:17 GMT erasedcitizen said:

The winner at home to Belgium which all but secured our place at Euro 2016.

The double against Austria to take us to a world cup play-off final, including the best free kick I've ever seen live.

The ball in against Ukraine to send us to our first World Cup in 64 years.

Our first World Cup goal for 64 years.

Our opening goal at Euro 2016.

That free kick against England at the same tournament.

The leaping header away at Cyprus in ridiculous conditions.

The absolute belter to win us the game at home to Scotland in 2012.

The hat-tricks against China and Belarus.

The winner in Andorra to keep Chris Coleman in a job.


41 international goals in 111 appearances. He holds the Welsh records in both.


Diolch Gareth Bale, for all the memories. Whatever he decides to do post-retirement, I wish him all the very best.

Scotland 2012 for me, too. 1-1, 88th minute and fouled inside the centre circle. Short free-kick, dribbles to about 25-yards out before delivering an absolute screamer into the top corner to secure the game. 

The result wasn't overly significant in the grand scheme of things, but it was a vintage Bale goal and showed his ability to completely turn a game on it's head for us.

[dai]

What are the odds this creates a domino effect? Ramsey, Wayne, Allen, Gunter.......

[robin1864]

Gunter has had the choice made for him, sadly. I can see Ramsey going next, Wayne and Joe will finish the upcoming campaign at least.

[CrackityJones]

Don't think I had celebrated a goal as much as the winner against Scotland...until all the other landmark goals he scored for us following that.

He's brought us so much joy, we'll never see the likes of him again. Its been an absolute privilege to watch Bale play

[vaulksthrowfanclub]

Fitting that his last club game was a cup win, where he came in clutch, and his last game was at the World Cup. Legend.

[dai]

Jan 9, 2023 16:55:07 GMT CrackityJones said:

Don't think I had celebrated a goal as much as the winner against Scotland...until all the other landmark goals he scored for us following that.

He's brought us so much joy, we'll never see the likes of him again. Its been an absolute privilege to watch Bale play

I think that's still the goal I've gone most nuts at.........strange as we were not going to qualify anyway, but still......beating the Scots.

[insertname]

Jan 9, 2023 16:55:10 GMT vaulksthrowfanclub said:

Fitting that his last club game was a cup win, where he came in clutch, and his last game was at the World Cup. Legend.

Interesting point, thinking about it I can’t think of anyone else who would have retired from football after an international game.

Not the way we wanted him to go out, getting embarrassed by England, but it says a lot about what was important to him that his last appearance on a football pitch was at a World Cup.

Wales > Golf > Everything else. In that order 😂