Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti and the Spanish club celebrated Welsh Legend Gareth Bale after the 33-year-old announced his decision to retire from football on Monday.

Gareth Bale officially retired from football on Monday, putting an end to an illustrious career that took him came from the Premier League to La Liga, where he won the Champions League and the La Liga title multiple times.

Gareth Bale, who last played for MLS side Los Angeles FC started his career at Premier League Club Southampton before moving to Tottenham Hotspur, where he broke into the limelight with an individual performance in the UEFA Champions League against Inter Milan in 2010.

Bale played at Real Madrid between 2013 and 2022, having joined for a then-world-record fee of £85.3 million. The Welsh played under Carlo Ancelotti during that period, and the Italian manager reminisced on his individual goal in the Copa Del Rey El Clasico in 2014.

Real Madrid released a statement on Bale’s announcement and expressed gratitude for his services in the Los Blancos shirt.

“Following Gareth Bale’s announcement that he will retire from professional football, Real Madrid C. F. would like to express its gratitude, admiration, and affection for a true legend of our club and the world game. Gareth Bale arrived at Real Madrid in 2013 and played in our colours for nine years, winning 19 trophies,” the statement read.

While at the club, Bale won 5 UEFA Champions League, 4 FIFA Club World Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 3 La Liga titles, 1 Copa del Rey, and 3 Spanish Super Cups. 

Gareth Bale helped the Welsh national team to their first FIFA World Cup appearance in over 60 years when they qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as he scored a goal in the three matches they played in the group stage.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu