Gareth Bale has said ending his international career is “by far the hardest decision of my career” as he posted a lengthy message to Wales fans after announcing his retirement from the game.
The 33-year-old has retired from both club and international football with immediate effect, bringing an end to a career that saw him scale the heights of European football and lead Wales to three international tournaments. The last of those was the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Wales’ first since 1958.
And while his final tournament with Wales didn’t go to plan, with Wales going out in the group stages, Bale still expressed his honour at pulling on the shirt 111 times during an international career that lasted 16 years
“To my Welsh family,” Bale began the emotional message posted on his social media accounts. “My decision to retire from International football has been, by far the hardest of my career.
“How do I describe what being a part of this country and team means to me? How do l articulate the impact it has had on my life?
“How do I put in to words the way I felt, every single time I put on that Welsh shirt? My answer is that I couldn’t possibly do any of those things justice, simply with words.
“But I know that every person involved in Welsh football, feels the magic, and is impacted in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel, without using any words at all.
“My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am. The fortune of being Welsh and being selected to play for and captain Wales, has given me something incomparable to anything else I’ve experienced.
“I am honoured and humbled to have been able to play a part in the history of this incredible country, to have felt the support and passion of the red wall, and together have been to unexpected and amazing places.
“I shared a dressing room with boys that became brothers, and back room staff that became family, I played for the most incredible managers, and felt the undying support and love from the most dedicated fans in the world. Thank you to every one of you for being on this journey with me.
“So for now I am stepping back, but not away from the team that lives in me and runs through my veins. After all, the dragon on my shirt is all I need.
“Together stronger. Diolch.”
