Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 12:11• Rian Rosendaal • Last update: 12:20

Gareth Bale is on the cusp of his final season as a professional footballer, you know The Mirror to reveal. The 32-year-old attacker, who reached the eighth finals of the European Championship with Wales, is entering his final year of contract with Real Madrid and is reportedly planning to retire as a club player in 2022. Bale would still like to participate in next year’s World Cup, if Wales qualifies for it. The final round will take place in Qatar in November and December 2022.

According to the aforementioned English newspaper, Bale has already told some friends and advisers that he will not be looking for a new club in 12 months after his contract with Real has ended. The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as successor to Zinedine Zidane could not change his mind either. Bale maintained a strained working relationship with the latter trainer, which even led to a return to Tottenham Hotspur as a mercenary. The veteran was acquired by Real in 2013 for a hundred million euros from the Spurs.

Gareth Bale provides clarity about future as international Wales

The attacker does not intend to end his international career now.Read article

Bale never grew into an undisputed base player at Real, although the counter now stands at 251 games (105 goals and 68 assists). The 96-time international of Wales conquered with The Royal no fewer than four times the Champions League. He had a large part in the overall victory of 2018 with two hits, when Liverpool were defeated 3-1 in the final. In addition, his trophy cabinet was supplemented with two Spanish national titles, once the Copa del Rey and twice the Spanish Supercup.

It became clear that Bale does not want to stop as an international yet after the 0-4 defeat against Denmark in the eighth final of the European Championship. The Wales attacker walked away frustrated on June 26 during an interview with the BBC when asked about his future as an international. In conversation with the Welsh S4C however, he does clarify the situation. “People often ask stupid questions, but of course I like to play for Wales. I will continue to play for Wales until I stop playing football.”

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