Topics: Gareth Bale, Laura Woods, Real Madrid, Wales, Wrexham, Football
Gareth Bale may have retired from football in 2023, but that didn't stop broadcaster Laura Woods from cheekily asking whether Wrexham AFC could lure the proud Welshman out of retirement.
Wrexham's fairytale season has captured the imagination of football fans all over the world, with Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney helping steer the side to a historic promotion from the National League.
With former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster already joining Wrexham, and Bale's ex-Wales teammate Hal Robson-Kanu even offering to come out of retirement to play for The Red Dragons, many were wondering who might be next to rock up to the Racecourse.
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However, it doesn't seem likely that Bale will follow suit, as he told Woods during Friday night's (28 April) UK Sports Industry awards.
The TalkSPORT presenter Tweeted out the exchange that her and Bale had while on stage at the awards ceremony, with Woods jokingly asking: “Could anything tempt you out of retirement, for example…Wrexham?”
To this, Bale responded: “No, I don’t think so. I was more looking for a free round of golf off Rob."
Woods then signed off the Tweet with "Sorry Wrexham, I tried!," insinuating that her efforts had fallen flat.
Bale officially hung up his boots for good in January of this year, following the conclusion of Wales' unsuccessful FIFA World Cup campaign.
Prior to that, his final club season came for LA FC, who he helped guide towards a first ever MLS Cup title in November 2022.
The 33-year-old, who was born in Cardiff, has never played a senior game for a Welsh club, having started his footballing journey with Southampton in 2006.
From there he'd move to Spurs and then Real Madrid, going on to win five Champions League titles with the latter. However, Bale often saved his very best football for Wales, whom he represented 111 times, scoring 41 goals over a 16-year period.
As for Wrexham, the story is set to continue in EFL League Two from next season, a league they haven't featured in since 2008. While the former Wales captain may not be rocking up anytime soon, there certainly won't be a shortage of famous faces at the Racecourse Ground come August.
