Gareth Bale's Surprise Return to Football Announced Two Years After Retirement
Gareth Bale is set to return to football despite retiring from the game two years ago following a stint at LAFC.
Bale, 36, is arguably Wales’ greatest ever footballer and the most successful British player to have played abroad during his time with Real Madrid, where he won five Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, three LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups.
During his time at Spanish giants, the Welshman made 258 appearances and produced 106 goals in a successful period under the guidance of Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti.
Then, in 2022, he moved to the MLS, joining LAFC before scoring a crucial equaliser in extra time of the MLS Cup final, before the side went on to defeat Philadelphia Union on penalties.
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In January of 2023, Bale then announced his official retirement from playing football.
Since then, he has made several appearances as part of TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage, as well as often taking to the golf course – although this was also a theme throughout his playing career.
Between January 2023 and July 2025, the 36-year-old cut his handicap from "three or four" to just 0.1, with some fans even suggesting that he could turn professional.
However, Bale quickly rubbished the claims during an interview with BBC Wales, in which he said that he was “100% sure” that he could “not make it professionally”.
"When you are in golf and you see professional golfers play, compared to even your best stuff, it is nowhere near,” Bale explained earlier this year.
"When I've played with those players and watched them, you really appreciate how good they actually are.”
He then insisted that “there won't be any professional (golf) for me”.
And it’s safe to say Bale does not need to work now that his professional football career is over, with it being reported that he earned up to £600,000 per week during his time with Real, according to Wales Online.
The former Spurs star’s net worth is thought to be around £120m.
But this weekend, the ex-Premier League player will dust off his boots ahead of a one-off appearance in a charity match.
Bale will FC Spear against Shield United in Seoul, South Korea.
Wayne Rooney, Kaka, Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho will also turn out alongside Bale.
Meanwhile, Shield United’s side will be made up by Alessandro Nesta, Carlos Puyol and former Manchester United duo Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Topics: Gareth Bale, Football, Wales, Real Madrid, Wayne Rooney, South Korea
Luke Davies