Gareth Bale

Biography

Gareth Frank Bale, born on 16 July 1989 in Cardiff, Wales, is a retired Welsh professional footballer celebrated for his exceptional skills as a winger. Raised in Cardiff, he attended Whitchurch High School, where his athletic prowess extended beyond football to rugby and hockey. At 14, he could run 100 meters in 11.4 seconds, showcasing his remarkable speed. Bale's football journey began with Cardiff Civil Service before joining Southampton's youth academy in 1999. He made his professional debut for Southampton in 2006, playing as a left-back. In 2007, he transferred to Tottenham Hotspur, where he initially continued in a defensive role. However, under manager Harry Redknapp, Bale was repositioned as a winger during the 2009–10 season, leading to a significant transformation in his career. His performances at Tottenham, particularly in the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League, earned him the PFA Players' Player of the Year award in 2011 and 2013. In September 2013, Bale transferred to Real Madrid for a then-world-record fee of £85.1 million (€100.8 million). During his tenure at Madrid, he secured five UEFA Champions League titles, including a memorable overhead-kick goal in the 2018 final against Liverpool. In 2020, Bale returned to Tottenham on loan for the 2020–21 season, contributing 11 goals in 20 appearances. In July 2022, he joined Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, where he played a pivotal role in securing the MLS Cup by scoring a crucial equalizer in the final against Philadelphia Union. Bale retired from professional football in January 2023 at the age of 33. Post-retirement, he has focused on his passion for golf, participating in events like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Despite his interest in golf, he has expressed confidence that he could not pursue a professional career in the sport. Internationally, Bale was a cornerstone of the Wales national team, earning 111 caps and scoring 41 goals. He led Wales to their first major tournament in 58 years at UEFA Euro 2016, where they reached the semi-finals. Bale also played a key role in Wales' qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ending a 64-year absence from the tournament.

Cards in the collection

• Gareth Bale Panini Football EFL Legend /35