Gareth Bale hang up his boots from club and international football at the age of 33

Xtra Time Web Desk: It has been a day of retirement in international football as Wales legend and captain Gareth Bale followed France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in calling it a day in their illustrious career. While Bale has taken the decision to retire from both club and international football at the age of 33 years, Lloris, aged 36 will continue to play club football for Tottenham Hotspurs.

Bale won La Liga three times and the Champions League an incredible five times for Real Madrid, making him one of the most decorated British players in history.

He helped Wales reach the quarter-finals of EURO 2016 and guided them to only their second-ever World Cup appearance at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

In a statement posted on Twitter about retiring from both club and international football, Bale said, “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.

He added, “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 9 years old.”