Gareth Bale retires

[CyderInACan]

 

[East End Old Boy]

1 minute ago, CyderInACan said:

 

So he is going to sign for Cardiff!

[Silvio Dante]

Strange. From his Qatar performances I’m sure he did that two months ago so why announce now?

[Sir Geoff]

Thought he'd retired about 5 years ago.

[2015]

It's unfortunate his last game for Wales was being hauled off at HT in a 3-0 defeat to England

[Super]

3 La Liga Titles, 1 Spanish Cup, 5 x Champions League , 3 x Super Cup. 3 x Fifa Club World Cup.

No too bad i suppose!

[lenred]

3 minutes ago, Super said:

3 La Liga Titles, 1 Spanish Cup, 5 x Champions League , 3 x Super Cup. 3 x Fifa Club World Cup.

No too bad i suppose!

Yet the Madrid fans still absolutely detest him in the main. Doesn’t seem to care too much about that though and fair play to him for that in some ways.   He’s certainly made ridiculous amounts of money and has an amazing trophy cabinet.   

[CyderInACan]

1 minute ago, lenred said:

He’s certainly made ridiculous amounts of money and has an amazing trophy cabinet.   

Wasn't he on about £300k a week at Real Madrid? 

[Super]

2 minutes ago, lenred said:

Yet the Madrid fans still absolutely detest him in the main. Doesn’t seem to care too much about that though and fair play to him for that in some ways.   He’s certainly made ridiculous amounts of money and has an amazing trophy cabinet.   

Be a long time before another British player goes abroad and gets anywhere near that.

4 minutes ago, TomF said:

You forgot his haul at Spurs too.  EFL Runners up x 2 

Still more than Kane has!

[lenred]

1 minute ago, CyderInACan said:

Wasn't he on about £300k a week at Real Madrid? 

£28.8m per year apparently - was their highest earner! 

[SecretSam]

22 minutes ago, CyderInACan said:

 

Gareth Bale announces retirement from football...to spend more time with his golf bats

[Ronnie Sinclair]

Golf courses around the world rub their hands with glee 

[Lrrr]

Honestly thought he may have held on for another 18 months for a better send off with a Wales. Undoubtedly one of the best ever from Britain though.

plenty of time for golf now 

[Calculus]

18 minutes ago, TomF said:

Wouldn't be surprised if he tries his hand at becoming a pro golfer. Handicap of 2.. if he worked at it full time he'll probably hold his own. 

I very much doubt it - there's a vast gulf between scratch handicappers from clubs and what tour pros are capable of. Not to mention that the set up of golf courses for tour events is much more difficult to that experienced by mere mortals.

[GrahamC]

29 minutes ago, lenred said:

Yet the Madrid fans still absolutely detest him in the main. Doesn’t seem to care too much about that though and fair play to him for that in some ways.   He’s certainly made ridiculous amounts of money and has an amazing trophy cabinet.   

Seeing as he showed absolutely no respect to them despite his astronomical wages I’m not remotely surprised.

Apparently never made any attempt to learn Spanish or socialise with team mates either, plus that flag of course.

[Bris Red]

26 minutes ago, TomF said:

Wouldn't be surprised if he tries his hand at becoming a pro golfer. Handicap of 2.. if he worked at it full time he'll probably hold his own. 

You are severely underestimating how hard it is to make it pro in Golf. From scratch to actually becoming a touring Pro that can earn a living from the sport the gulf between the two is immense. Jimmy Bullard another superb amateur golfer found this out.

Edited January 9, 2023 by Bris Red

[Selred]

3 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Apparently never made any attempt to learn Spanish

I believe he's actually fluent, spoke Spanish when he signed for Los Angeles FC!

[lenred]

2 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Seeing as he showed absolutely no respect to them despite his astronomical wages I’m not remotely surprised.

Apparently never made any attempt to learn Spanish or socialise with team mates either, plus that flag of course.

Completely agree and I can’t stand the bloke (the language thing especially is a complete and utter pisstake and compare him with Vialli who apparently went from speaking not a word of English to virtually fluent in a matter of months).  But you have to admire his ‘couldn’t give two Tom Tits’ attitude in some ways.   Must have skin as thick as a rhino. Getting paid £28m a year will no doubt help with that though! 

[Kid in the Riot]

7 minutes ago, GrahamC said:

Seeing as he showed absolutely no respect to them despite his astronomical wages I’m not remotely surprised.

Apparently never made any attempt to learn Spanish or socialise with team mates either, plus that flag of course.

 

2 minutes ago, lenred said:

Completely agree and I can’t stand the bloke (the language thing especially is a complete and utter pisstake and compare him with Vialli who apparently went from speaking not a word of English to virtually fluent in a matter of months).  But you have to admire his ‘couldn’t give two Tom Tits’ attitude in some ways.   Must have skin as thick as a rhino. Getting paid £28m a year will no doubt help with that though! 

The not learning Spanish thing is utter BS as evidenced by this:

 

[The Gasbuster]

Not really a contender for G.O.A.T.

Definitely a contender for The Welshest of All Time

[lenred]

2 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

 

The not learning Spanish thing is utter BS as evidenced by this:

 

Fair play, it took him a while though and that’s a truly terrible accent Guess they just hate him for barely being available for them yet being available for Wales pretty much every international break! 

[Davefevs]

8 minutes ago, Bris Red said:

You are severely underestimating how hard it is to make it pro in Golf. From scratch to actually becoming a touring Pro that can earn a living from the sport the gulf between the two is immense. Jimmy Bullard another superb amateur golfer found this out.

Julian Dicks too.

[Kid in the Riot]

This goal though....pfft

 

[LondonBristolian]

I think the media circus and critique of Bale over recent years can mask just how good he was from 2010 to 2018. There's a serious argument for him being the best British footballer of the last thirty years. Certainly I struggle to think of any other British player you could definitively argue was better. 

[Open End Numb Legs]

1 hour ago, Super said:

3 La Liga Titles, 1 Spanish Cup, 5 x Champions League , 3 x Super Cup. 3 x Fifa Club World Cup.

No too bad i suppose!

Not a fan myself, there are some players who are not likeable for some reason.

As for the stats, they look ok in isolation but he didn't do it all on his own and in some cases didn't play that much when his side won trophies.

[Super]

2 minutes ago, Open End Numb Legs said:

Not a fan myself, there are some players who are not likeable for some reason.

As for the stats, they look ok in isolation but he didn't do it all on his own and in some cases didn't play that much when his side won trophies.

He was def injured quite a bit but 81 in 176 games is pretty good.

[Calculus]

14 minutes ago, TomF said:

I get that, Peter Trego tried recently didn't he and certainly has found it tough. However he doesn't need the money so still wonder if he might try even if its just low level European Tour event. 

I know he had a couple of EuroPro comps back in 2021 whilst attached to Mendip Spring but didn't make the cut in either, so think will struggle at that level. 

That said  I can certainly see a good future for him as a teaching pro and also on the county and South West circuits which he could mix in with celebrity events/pro ams etc.

Whatever he does I wish him well - very good cricketer and first rate guy.

[ExiledAjax]

That Spurs game against Inter at the San Siro on 2010 when he just ran the show. Turned Maicon inside out and upside down, took one of Europe's top teams to pieces. That was the game. If I was a player and that game and performance were all I ever did, I'd retire happy.

[Kid in the Riot]

29 minutes ago, TomF said:

I get that, Peter Trego tried recently didn't he and certainly has found it tough. However he doesn't need the money so still wonder if he might try even if its just low level European Tour event. 

Tim Henman has a +1 handicap! Was playing off scratch even when he was still playing tennis.

[Sir Geoff]

37 minutes ago, Open End Numb Legs said:

Not a fan myself, there are some players who are not likeable for some reason.

As for the stats, they look ok in isolation but he didn't do it all on his own and in some cases didn't play that much when his side won trophies.

Totally agree. I think he was sub in at least 2 if not 3 Champions League finals. Also was very much a bit part player in the last league title.

[Davefevs]

44 minutes ago, TomF said:

Those last few seasons at Spurs he was sensational.  I think he had played for England the media attention would have off the chart.

“Difference maker”

Re golf, Ballesteros said he could be scratch left handed from 150 yards in.

[Simon bristol]

Was a hell of a player on his day, but he kept hanging around a year or 2 too long. I suppose that 28 million a year at madrid would encourage that

[Merrick's Marvels]

A player who epitomised everything that's wrong about modern football, happy to accept obscene wages in return for not giving a ****.

So, despite his talent, he's not fit to lace the boots of Charles, Jones, Toshack or any other Welsh "great". 

Not that we remotely give a **** either. Boyo. 

Edited January 9, 2023 by Merrick's Marvels

[grifty]

18 minutes ago, Sir Geoff said:

Totally agree. I think he was sub in at least 2 if not 3 Champions League finals. Also was very much a bit part player in the last league title.

You do know he came on as sub in 2 champions league finals and scored right?

[Northern Red]

At his peak he was good enough to have a whole team built around him at pretty much every club, except for 2. And he ended up signing for one of them.

[RedorDead BCFC]

People forget that he was given a second contract at Real. It wasn’t like he signed and played out one contract, he was there for 9 years. He was treated like a leper from Zidane at Real. I guess he thought sod you and carried taken the money. 
If he wasn’t Welsh would there be so much angst against him on here? 
 

Retiring at 33, says there is something more to it IMO 

Edited January 9, 2023 by RedorDead BCFC

[Vidal]

Who cares.

[B1ackbird]

"If he wasn’t Welsh would there be so much angst against him on here?"

Probably due to all his anti- English s*** he couldn't wait to spout at every opportunity....

 

[Victory Park Reds]

 

I really am trying to take my anti-Welshness out of the argument BUT,there is always a but.

He scored against us in the Euros in .Well good for him even Iceland did - Twice!!!

When in Spain he beat a nobody on the touch line and sprinted a bit and scored- so ******* what I’ve ran and scored goals back in the 70’s playing forHolymead Juniors!

That overhead kick against the scousers in the Champions league final - ok everyone can get lucky once- especially when you earn enough to buy new golf clubs every day!- Pele’s in Escape to Victory was better anyway .

Glad he now enjoy his golf and we now don’t have to any endure anymore BBC/ITV ****-marathon about how lovely it is for the sheep shaggers to be at a major tournament.

And his hair, his ******* hair.As least Beckham was a bit of a dude but his stupid top.WTF.

not a fan.

[Super]

28 minutes ago, Vidal said:

Who cares.

You opened this thread and commented so guessing you do.

[elhombrecito]

3 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said:

 

The not learning Spanish thing is utter BS as evidenced by this:

 

I mean, it's better than he's given credit for, but that's very far from fluent! 

(I appreciate that's from a while ago, so could well be much better now).

[Kashmir]

1 hour ago, Vidal said:

Who cares.

[BCFCGav]

Phenomenal player. The Bale Benzema CR7 front three is timeless. 

[miketh2nd]

1 hour ago, RedorDead BCFC said:

People forget that he was given a second contract at Real. It wasn’t like he signed and played out one contract, he was there for 9 years. He was treated like a leper from Zidane at Real. I guess he thought sod you and carried taken the money. 
If he wasn’t Welsh would there be so much angst against him on here? 
 

Retiring at 33, says there is something more to it IMO 

Yep I agree with you here if he was English this wouldn't be the case , other than Beckham in the modern era he s probably been the best British  player at Real .

I'd compare him to Owen/Rooney being played too much at a young age.He scored some quality goals at club level. 

[East End Old Boy]

4 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said:

 

The not learning Spanish thing is utter BS as evidenced by this:

 

Thought he was just speaking Welsh - doesn’t Spanish just sound the same?

[Sir Geoff]

11 hours ago, miketh2nd said:

Yep I agree with you here if he was English this wouldn't be the case , other than Beckham in the modern era he s probably been the best British  player at Real .

I'd compare him to Owen/Rooney being played too much at a young age.He scored some quality goals at club level. 

Better than Laurie Cunningham......no chance.

[Super]

35 minutes ago, Sir Geoff said:

Better than Laurie Cunningham......no chance.

What exactly are you basing this on?

[Bristol Oil Services]

Fer me, Gareth Bale was just Dave Smith from 89/90, only with overhead kicks and a top knot. Plus Luca Modric and Toni Koros and Sergio Ramos alongside him.

[Sir Geoff]

44 minutes ago, Super said:

What exactly are you basing this on?

All about opinions and mine is that Cunningham was a more gifted, better player than Bale. Sorry if you don't agree.

[Super]

1 minute ago, Sir Geoff said:

All about opinions and mine is that Cunningham was a more gifted, better player than Bale. Sorry if you don't agree.

Not sure stats back that up but each to their own.

[Sir Geoff]

1 minute ago, Super said:

Not sure stats back that up but each to their own.

What have stats got to do with it. If that's your basis then I assume you think Bale is better than George Best because he won 4 more European cups 

[Super]

1 minute ago, Sir Geoff said:

What have stats got to do with it. If that's your basis then I assume you think Bale is better than George Best because he won 4 more European cups 

Cunningham may have been a decent player not disputing that but comparing him to Bale is a bit silly.

[miketh2nd]

2 hours ago, Sir Geoff said:

Better than Laurie Cunningham......no chance.

Alas I was only born in 89 , but wow from Leyton Orient to Real Madrid  that is damn impressive!

Tragic he died so young in the car crash . 

[LondonBristolian]

1 hour ago, Sir Geoff said:

What have stats got to do with it. If that's your basis then I assume you think Bale is better than George Best because he won 4 more European cups 

It comes down to what you mean by "better", which is always going to be subjective. By all accounts Cunningham had the talent but his time at Real Madrid was affected by injuries and bad luck and he only made 40 or so appearances for them. I think it's really hard to claim a player with that many starts had anywhere near the impact or success than Bale did.

In terms of George Best, he was an incredible footballer but he played at a time where attitudes to player's lifestyles were very different to today - even with his skill and ability - there is absolutely no way a player with his ability but a similar lifestyle would be fit enough to sustain a career in the top flight today. I honestly think any elite manager would have taken Bale over Best for that simple reason. Whether that makes Bale a better player or not is obviously subjective. 

[redsince1994]

1 hour ago, Super said:

Cunningham may have been a decent player not disputing that but comparing him to Bale is a bit silly.

I scrolled straight to the bottom of the thread and though it was Greg who was being discussed, that would be a bit silly!

[Sir Geoff]

22 minutes ago, LondonBristolian said:

It comes down to what you mean by "better", which is always going to be subjective. By all accounts Cunningham had the talent but his time at Real Madrid was affected by injuries and bad luck and he only made 40 or so appearances for them. I think it's really hard to claim a player with that many starts had anywhere near the impact or success than Bale did.

In terms of George Best, he was an incredible footballer but he played at a time where attitudes to player's lifestyles were very different to today - even with his skill and ability - there is absolutely no way a player with his ability but a similar lifestyle would be fit enough to sustain a career in the top flight today. I honestly think any elite manager would have taken Bale over Best for that simple reason. Whether that makes Bale a better player or not is obviously subjective. 

The use of the word 'better' was a direct quote back at mike2nd who said he thought that apart from Beckham that Bale was the best British player to play for Real Madrid. The George Best analogy was used as Super argued that stats didn't back up the argument.

Having seen both players In my opinion Cunningham was far more talented than Bale.

All subjective I agree.