13 November 2023 , 15:42
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Gareth Bale enjoyed a short but colourful time in MLS, making his debut in a game marred by a mass brawl before winning the MLS Cup and retiring far earlier than promised.
Back in January following the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Bale decided to call time on both his international and club career at the age of 33. The decision came after ‘careful and thoughtful consideration’ once Wales were knocked out of the group stage at the nation’s first World Cup in 64 years.
Bale decided to walk away from soccer just months after telling LAFC fans he still had ‘many years’ in him and wanted to stay in Los Angeles for ‘as long as possible’. He made just 14 appearances for the MLS club, originally agreeing a 12-month deal with the option of staying for the 2024 campaign when he joined LAFC once his Real Madrid contract expired.
Speaking at his unveiling, Bale appeared to suggest he was ready to stay in the United States for the long-term. He said: “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t ready to give everything. I am still 32. I still have many years to come and I haven’t come here just to be here for six months or 12 months. I want to be here for as long as possible.
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“I want to do as well as I can to make my mark on this league and this team and I am looking forward to the future. Also, this gives me the best opportunity to go to the next Euros and maybe further. The plan is to work hard.”
He added: “I don’t think anyone here sees it as a retirement league anymore. The weather is difficult, the travel is difficult. The standard is increasing. It is a lot better than people in Europe think. Everything is improving – it’s a league on the rise.”
Bale’s first LAFC start did not go to plan, however, as they were slammed 4-1 by Austin with a mass brawl breaking out. The Welshman failed to make an impact as he was withdrawn in the 60th minute and things took a turn when Maximilino Urrutui was shoulder barged by LAFC defender Jesus Murillo.
Urruti caught Murillo just after he'd taken the throw in, and he rolled around on the pitch while LAFC players reacted to the incident angrily. A scrap between the two sets of players followed, with three players - including Urruti - going into the referee's book. Bale wasn't involved, deciding to watch the chaos unfold from a distance.
Gareth Bale retired following the 2022 World Cup once Wales were eliminated in the group stage (AFP via Getty Images)Bale scored three goals in 14 appearances for LAFC altogether. Although his stint was brief, he made an impact with LAFC winning both the MLS Cup - in which he scored a dramatic last-gasp equaliser - and the Supporters' Shield.
Tweeting a video of Bale’s highlights, LAFC wrote: “Forever a champion. Forever a legend. Forever Black & Gold. Congrats on a historic career, @GarethBale11.”
After starting out with Southampton and moving to Tottenham, he earned an £80 million move to Real Madrid in September 2013. With the iconic Spanish club, Bale won five UEFA Champions League titles, three La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey.
For Wales, Bale scored 41 goals in 111 appearances and captained the nation in Qatar – their first World Cup since 1958. His final goal was the equaliser in their 1-1 draw with USA back on November 21.