Real Madrid have expressed their sincere gratitude to the departing Gareth Bale. The Welshman confirmed on Wednesday (before the UCL final weekend) that, as expected, he was leaving the LaLiga champions and Champions League winners, with his contract with Los Blancos coming to an end. His departure comes at the same time with that of Isco. They both arrived in 2013 and left a great mark.
Bale arrived from Tottenham in 2013 and helped Madrid win 19 trophies in his nine years in the Spanish capital, although he did spend the 2020-21 season on loan at Spurs. He can count five Champions League titles, three league crowns, one Copa del Rey and four FIFA Club World Cup triumphs among his honours.
He had crucial roles in many points of his spell at Real Madrid, helping seal some of the club’s numerous successes, especially remembered (among the other moments) for the terrific run finalized in goal in 2014 Copa del Rey Final vs Barcelona, the goal in the UCL Final vs Atletico in the same year and of course for the brace vs Liverpool in the 2018 UCL Final with the first goal being an unmatched bicycle- kick masterpiece.
Judging especially from his recent form with the national team it’s safe to say that he still has to offer a lot to the game if he stays fit. Real Madrid showed their affection with an official update to the club’s official websites and social media accounts about his departure. Los Blancos expressed as follows:
Official announcement, Bale:
Real Madrid would like to express its sincere gratitude and affection to Gareth Bale, a player who will forever be part of the club's legacy.
Since he joined Real Madrid on 2 September 2013 at the age of 24, he has experienced one of the most glorious eras in our history. During his time at Real Madrid, he has collected 19 trophies: five European Cups, four Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, three LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups. On an individual level, he was named Best Player of the 2018 Champions League Final and won the Golden Ball at the Club World Cup in the same year.
In addition to his impressive silverware, Gareth Bale will be remembered by all Real Madrid fans for his wonderful and decisive goals such as his unforgettable header in the Champions League final in Lisbon, his amazing solo run in the final of the Copa del Rey in Valencia and his iconic overhead kick in the final of the Champions League in Kiev, where we secured La Decimotercera.
Real Madrid is and always will be his home, and we would like to wish him and all his family the best of luck for the future.
The player also expressed his gratitude and love. Gareth Bale wrote on his social media with humbleness:
“I write this message to say thank you to all my team mates, past and present, my managers, the back room staff and to the fans that supported me.
I arrived here 9 years ago as a young man who wanted to realise my dream of playing for Real Madrid. To wear the pristine white kit, to wear the crest on my chest, to play at the Santiago Bernabéu, to win titles and to be part of what it's so famous for, to win the Champions League.
I can now look back, reflect and say with honesty that this dream became a reality and much, much more.
To be a part of this club’s history and to achieve what we achieved while I was a Real Madrid player, has been an incredible experience and one I will never forget.
I also want to thank President Florentino Perez, Jose Angel Sanchez, and the board for giving me the opportunity to play for this club. Together we were able to create some moments that will live forever in the history of this club and football.
It has been an honour.
Thank you!
HALA MADRID!”
The Future
After the announcement of the departure the Welshman has been linked with some teams as the rumors are always present and trying to figure out something. First, it was talked about a move to Gefate but Gareth Bale has laughed off links to Getafe after their president claimed he had been offered the free agent Welshman.
Bale ended his nine-year stay at Real in the Spanish capital as a five-time Champions League winner, and followed up by sending Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years. Speculation is rife over the Cardiff-born star’s future, with his hometown club the betting favourites, and former side Tottenham are also on the shortlist.
However, a surprise team emerged into the fold this week when Getafe’s president, Angel Torres, claimed he had been offered the player. “50 minutes ago they offered me Bale,” he said. “I have to think about it and talk to the coach, I don’t know if he’s going to come.”
Meanwhile, the LaLiga side had some fun with the news, Tweeting, “Getafe Getafe Getafe in that order,” in reference to Bale’s infamous ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid’ banner that sent his career at the Bernabeu on a downward spiral.
The 32-year-old’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, has since denied that he spoke to Getafe’s president, and Bale even commented on the rumours with a chuckle. Speaking ahead of his country’s Nations League tie with Belgium, Bale was asked about what impact the World Cup has on his club career.
He answered: “Yeah for sure it influences it, I just want to be playing going into the World Cup to be as fit as I can. I think I hear the manager say ideally he wants everybody to playing, and everybody wants to be playing, so hopefully I can enjoy my holiday and then decide where I want to be and what I want to do to try and be playing games to be as fit as I can for the World Cup”.
Bale was then asked if he has any idea where he will be playing, and he was quick to rule out one side. “No [I don’t know] but I’m not going to Getafe, that’s for sure,” he said with a laugh.
On the other hand, according to a report by Italian outlet Calciomercato, AS Roma may have the chance to secure the services of Gareth Bale on a Bosman move in the summer transfer window. But the Serie A giants might not be able to afford to pay the Real Madrid forward’s enormous wages, creating a stumbling block.
Bale was a bit-part player in Zinedine Zidane’s second spell as the Real Madrid boss and barely featured under Carlo Ancelotti this past season, garnering just 290 minutes of game-time across seven appearances. And the 32-year-old will leave Real Madrid as a free agent next month, with his next destination unclear.
Former club Tottenham Hotspur will not pursue a move for the Real Madrid forward in the summer transfer window despite a successful loan stint in the 2020/21 season. Recent reports then claimed that Bale could remain in Spain beyond the summer transfer window, although a move to a mid-table club will unlikely materialize.
Welsh outfit Cardiff City might also be in contention to sign Bale when he officially leaves Real Madrid. But the veteran forward could have a destination in Serie A, with his agent Jonathan Barnett offering him to AS Roma over a Bosman move in the summer transfer window.
Former Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd says he doubts whether Gareth Bale is suited to Championship football: "I think it will be more difficult for him to play in the Champ than it would playing in the Prem," he said on talkSPORT on Friday night. "Obviously, he's great player, he's done fantastic at Real Madrid and he done fantastic at Tottenham. But I think going down to the Championship is not for him. I think it would be really difficult for him to perform and get the best out of himself. I can see him coming back to somewhere like Tottenham, to be honest. The last time he was here, he done fantastic. He scored goals."
AS Roma could do with a player of Bale’s calibre, considering Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Carles Perez might depart from Stadio Olimpico in the summer transfer window. But Bale’s enormous wages could be a stumbling block for the Serie A giants, who would not be in a position to offer him acceptable terms.
José Mourinho will try the big shot and the engagement of Gareth Bale. This was revealed by the Spanish newspaper El Nacional which reveals the technician's intention to find the winger after a few months' experience with Tottenham. Mourinho would also have called Bale to convince him to try a new adventure in Italy, at Rome with him.
So unless Bale decides to take him significantly reduced wages at his next club, he will be in limbo once he leaves Real Madrid. It will be interesting to see if he continues his career in Serie A by joining AS Roma this summer. Roma do not have the financial capacity to meet Bale’s salary demands. Yet, the Italians could lure the coveted forward to the Stadio Olimpico by offering him regular play-time in the World Cup year.
After helping Wales advance to the World Cup finals for the first time in 64 years, Bale is keen to maintain his competitive shape. A potential move over the Atlantic remains a plausible possibility however. But though several MLS franchises are keeping close tabs on the left-footed star, Bale’s switch to North America remains on stand-by for the time being.
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