Gareth Bale calls time on illustrious Real Madrid career, confirms exit
The Hindu
Welsh football star Gareth Bale brought down the curtain on his storied nine-year Real Madrid stint, announcing that he was leaving the La Liga club this summer at the end of his contract
Gareth Bale said on Wednesday that his time at Real Madrid was an "incredible experience" as he confirmed his departure from the La Liga club after a nine-year spell in the Spanish capital.
The 32-year-old, who signed for Real from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013, was out of contract this summer.
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"I write this message to say thank you to all my team mates, past and present, my managers, the backroom staff and to the fans that supported me," Bale, who scored 106 goals in 258 appearances for Real, said in a social media post.
"I arrived here nine years ago as a young man who wanted to realise my dream of playing for Real Madrid. To wear the pristine white kit... to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, to win titles and to be part of what it's so famous for, to win the Champions League."
The Welshman will be best remembered for scoring twice, including a stunning overhead kick, in the 2018 Champions League final against Liverpool and also netting a superb winner against Barcelona in the 2014 Copa del Rey final.
Despite his fine collection of titles — three LaLiga triumphs and five Champions League crowns — Bale's time at Real was marred by injuries.