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Should Los Angeles FC forward Gareth Bale retire?

By Robert Wheeler

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 29: Gareth Bale of Wales looks dejected as he applauds the fans during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 29: Gareth Bale of Wales looks dejected as he applauds the fans during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between Wales and England at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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Gareth Bale’s World Cup came to an end this week as his Wales side suffered a 3-0 defeat to England. Going out at the group stages is a bit of a disappointment but playing in his nation’s first World Cup since 1958 is a massive achievement in itself.

Bale said to the BBC that he intends to carry on, saying: “I’ll keep going as long as I can and as long as I’m wanted.”

However, after winning MLS Cup this season, where he scored a very important goal for Los Angeles FC before finally playing in a World Cup, it may be the perfect time for the Bale to hang up his boots.

Gareth Bale’s World Cup

Wales’ opening game of the tournament was not a disaster. His side was trailing to a Timothy Weah goal at half time, but a tactical change from Rob Page – bringing on Kieffer Moore for Dan James – got his side back into the game. Bale won the penalty when he was fouled by Walker Zimmerman, and dusted himself off before slotting it into the top corner.

However, the match with Iran catastrophe, which saw Wayne Hennessey sent off before two goals in extra time from Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian saw off the Dragons. Bale did manage to complete a second 90 minutes in this game, but failed to make an impact.

They had a mountain to climb against England, and fell to a 3-0 defeat with Marcus Rashford scoring a brace and Phil Foden getting the other. Bale was pulled off at half time with a hamstring injury.

What more does Bale need to do?

Bale is one of the most successful British players ever. He has won three La Liga titles and won the Champions League five times, famously scoring an overhead kick against Liverpool in the final in 2018.

Although Bale never won anything with Tottenham Hotspur, he still played in the Premier League 166 times for them, scoring 54 goals and earning a Premier League Player of the Season award in 2012/13. He also gave Maicon a very tough night with his pace in a Champions League tie at San Siro, arguably the performance which announced him to the world.

For his country, Bale has made 111 appearances. with 40 goals. Along with the World Cup he also played in two European Championships helping Wales remarkably to get to the semi-finals in 2016. Bale is 33 now and it might be the right time for his generation of Welsh greats along with Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen to pave the way for younger players to come through.

For LAFC last season, he may have only made 14 appearances but he still got three goals and won the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup. He is still contracted to the club until June 2023, but it remains to be seen if he will see it out.

Before heading to North America, Bale was linked with a move to his hometown club Cardiff City. Heading to South Wales could still be an option. However, it would be very tough on his body to play regularly in a league as physical as the Championship.

Winning the MLS Cup before representing your country at a World Cup is not a bad way to end your career. Bale’s love of golf is well known, and it may be time to replace his football boots with golf shoes on a full-time basis.

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