Gareth Bale shares tragic reason he retired aged 33 that fans didn’t know about | Football | Sport

Gareth Bale has revealed that a family health crisis was the primary reason behind his unexpected retirement from football at the age of 33. The Wales legend shocked the sporting world when he ended his illustrious career in January 2023, mere weeks after Wales’ disappointing World Cup departure in Qatar. At the time, Bale discussed feeling “fortunate” and having fulfilled his ambitions, but has now confessed there was a much more profound motivation behind his choice.

Speaking to GQ, Bale revealed that his father Frank’s illness made him recognise his priorities needed to change away from football. “My dad got ill and that played a massive role in my decision,” he said. “People don’t know what anyone’s going through at home, but I soon realised there’s more to life than just football.

“Our kids, our life, our marriage, our family, our friends, these things are most important. The things you were so worried about in football I now look back and laugh at it but at the time you get anxious, you get nervous, you don’t enjoy it.”

Bale, now 36, had recently helped LAFC secure the MLS Cup, the concluding honour of a career that featured five Champions League titles, a world-record transfer to Real Madrid and becoming Wales’ all-time top scorer and most-capped male player.

Looking back on his journey, he acknowledged there were aspirations he didn’t achieve, such as taking Wales even further on the international stage, but emphasised he retires without any regrets. “I achieved so much,” he said.

“Playing in a World Cup was the last thing I wanted to do. After that, I didn’t feel like I had anything else left to achieve. It didn’t go amazingly well for us, but it was the first time in 64 years. After that, I didn’t feel like I had anything else left to achieve, goal-wise.”

During the interview, Bale also tackled long-standing Madrid controversies, including his alleged fixation with golf. He maintained he “never played that much”, only venturing out “once every two or three weeks” on rest days.

He attributes his ability to handle the enormous media pressure during those challenging periods in Spain – when segments of Real Madrid supporters and press turned against him – to his father, Frank.

“My dad is very strong,” he said. “The way he and my mum brought me up was like ‘no b******t’. They sacrificed a lot when I was growing up, travelling and giving up their weekends.

“It’s something I only understand now I’m a parent doing it with my son. But if I went to a game and I didn’t try, Dad was like, you can play s**t. I don’t care.

“You can play amazing. I don’t care. But if you don’t try, that’s not acceptable. I say it to my son now, he is only seven but trying is the only thing I require from you.

“It teaches you a lifelong lesson. You can’t just give up when you don’t like it or things aren’t going well.”

Bale spent the latter years of his career on loan at Spurs during the Covid season and then in MLS before retiring from the game, arguably as Wales’ most outstanding footballer ever: 40 goals in 111 appearances and unforgettable moments on the grandest stage.

Now transitioning into media work with TNT Sports and CBS, Bale says he is relishing life post-football and is thankful he stepped away at the right time for both himself and his family.