Football news - Gareth Bale: Is the Real Madrid loanee hinting at retirement with his 'chaos' comment?

ByEurosport

Published 24/05/2021 at 10:04 GMT

Gareth Bale has raised speculation regarding his long-term future by admitting his next move will "cause chaos" if he was to announce it before Euro 2020. What is the next step for the 31-year-old who has won four Champions League titles and two La Liga trophies in his illustrious career? Well, it could be retirement.

Gareth Bale's loan spell at Tottenham has come to an end and it sounds as though he has big plans in store.

Bale said after Spurs' 4-2 victory over Leicester on the final day of the Premier League season that he would not reveal his next move before Euro 2020, which starts next month, as it would "cause chaos".

"It just has to happen after the Euros," Bale told Sky Sports when asked whether he could reveal where he will be next season.

Premier League

Scholes would 'kick' and 'launch' Pogba in training, reveals Ferdinand

15/04/2023 at 11:05

I know what I’m doing, but it’ll just cause chaos if I say anything now.

• How Kane exit could spark high-profile summer sales - Paper Round
• Leicester fall short, but let's not call it a choke - The Warm-Up

Bale endured a slow start to life at Spurs following his highly-anticipated return on loan from Real Madrid in September, but the Welshman finished the campaign with 16 goals.

He is due to go back to Real for the 2022/23 season with his contract set to expire next year, but his quotes suggests he has longer-term plans in mind, too.

So, is Bale hinting at retirement?

Spanish media outlet AS said last week the Welshman plans to hang up his boots once his contract at Real is up.

The Madrid-based newspaper reported: "[Bale] has made no secret in the dressing room that he intends to push his fitness to the limit, always putting the European Championship first.

"He has also made no secret of his intention to return to Real Madrid this summer to complete the remaining year of his contract at the Santiago Bernabéu and then retire from football, as this newspaper has learned."

'It's a lie' - Zidane denies reports he's told players he is leaving

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano says Bale's future will be decided in the coming weeks after the 31-year-old meets up with his agent Jonathan Barnett.

Bale has come under criticism for a perceived lack of motivation in his latter years at Real and during his stint back at Tottenham.

Bale is to captain Wales at Euro 2020 this summer and goes into the tournament equipped with game time picked up during his loan spell, which he was unlikely to get at Real.

Football

Bale to play PGA Tour event following retirement from football

24/01/2023 at 08:46

Football

Ignore the Madrid hate, Gareth Bale is a football legend – The Warm-Up

10/01/2023 at 09:28

World Cup

Bale in mix to be 'greatest British player of our generation' says Ferdinand

29/11/2022 at 19:26