Gareth Bale

File:Gareth Bale - Teilyngwr y Wobr Dewi Sant am Chwaraeon St David Award Finalist for Sport.webm, Cardiff, 2016]]

Bale was born in Cardiff, Wales, to Frank, a school caretaker, and Debbie Bale, an operations manager.{{Cite web |title=Gareth Bale's biography {{!}} Gareth Bale |url=https://www.gareth-bale.com/biography/ |access-date=5 June 2023 |website=www.gareth-bale.com |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605080241/https://www.gareth-bale.com/biography/ |url-status=live }} He is the nephew of former Cardiff City footballer Chris Pike.{{Cite news |last=Holt |first=Gerry |date=8 December 2008 |title=Bluebirds of a feather are flocking together |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/12/08/bluebirds-of-a-feather-are-flocking-together-in-91466-22425013/ |access-date=8 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009103004/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/12/08/bluebirds-of-a-feather-are-flocking-together-in-91466-22425013/ |archive-date=9 October 2012}} He attended Eglwys Newydd Primary School in Whitchurch.{{Cite web |title=Hall of Fame |url=http://www.eglwysnewyddprm.cardiff.sch.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=33&MMN_position=53:53 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605193709/http://www.eglwysnewyddprm.cardiff.sch.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=33&MMN_position=53%3A53 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |access-date=14 November 2010 |publisher=Eglwys Newydd Primary School}} It was while at this school that he first came to the attention of Southampton at age nine, when he was playing in a six-a-side tournament with his first club, Cardiff Civil Service.{{Cite web |last=Abbandonato |first=Paul |date=22 October 2010 |title=Mentor's advice to Gareth could come to fruition as foreign legion close in |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-in-wales/2010/10/22/mentor-s-advice-to-gareth-could-come-to-fruition-as-foreign-legion-close-in-91466-27521941/ |access-date=28 December 2010 |website=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales}} Growing up, his footballing hero was fellow Welshman and Manchester United player Ryan Giggs.{{Cite news |last=Harvey |first=Chris |date=31 January 2011 |title=Gareth Bale interview: born to run |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/8286070/Gareth-Bale-interview-born-to-run.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=31 January 2011 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/8286070/Gareth-Bale-interview-born-to-run.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}

Bale attended Whitchurch High School in Cardiff.{{Cite web |title=Powerleague Official Opening |url=http://www.whitchurchhs.com/School_News/2007-2008/PowerleagueOfficialOpening.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718041233/http://www.whitchurchhs.com/School_News/2007-2008/PowerleagueOfficialOpening.htm |archive-date=18 July 2011 |access-date=5 September 2011 |publisher=Whitchurch High School}} He was a keen athlete; he played football alongside future Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton, rugby, hockey and excelled at athletics.{{Cite news |last=Clutton |first=Graham |date=14 October 2011 |title=Rugby World Cup 2011: Cardiff-born Gareth Bale and Sam Warburton were stars from the start, reflects coach |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/wales/8825107/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Cardiff-born-Gareth-Bale-and-Sam-Warburton-were-stars-from-the-start-reflects-coach.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/wales/8825107/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Cardiff-born-Gareth-Bale-and-Sam-Warburton-were-stars-from-the-start-reflects-coach.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} As a 14-year-old he says that he ran the 100-metre sprint in 11.4 seconds. Because of his superior footballing skill, the school's PE teacher, Gwyn Morris, had to write special rules which restricted Bale to playing one-touch football and not using his left foot.{{Cite news |last=James |first=Stuart |date=13 October 2011 |title=Pride at Cardiff school that developed Sam Warburton and Gareth Bale |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/oct/13/school-sam-warburton-gareth-bale |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722131315/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2011/oct/13/school-sam-warburton-gareth-bale |url-status=live}}

Despite being only 16 at the time, Bale helped the school's under-18 team win the Cardiff & Vale Senior Cup. He left school in the summer of 2005 with a Grade A in PE amongst his other GCSE results. In his final year at school, he was awarded the PE department's prize for services to sport. In the presentation, Morris commented:

"Gareth has a fierce determination to succeed and has the character and qualities to achieve his personal goals. He is one of the most unselfish individuals that I have had the pleasure to help educate."{{Cite news |date=13 January 2007 |title=Young Gareth made own rules |work=The Daily Echo}}

On 17 April 2006, at the age of 16 years and 275 days, Bale became the second youngest player ever to play for Southampton (after Theo Walcott, who was 132 days younger) when he made his debut in the Saints' 2–0 victory against Millwall. On 6 August, Bale scored his first league goal, a free kick, to level the score at 1–1 against Derby County. The final score at Pride Park was 2–2.{{Cite web |title=Derby 2 Southampton 2 |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/match/?page_id=6599&t=2&fixture=2693144 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060930083556/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/match/?page_id=6599&t=2&fixture=2693144 |archive-date=30 September 2006 |access-date=21 January 2007 |publisher=Southampton F.C.}}

He scored again, at St Mary's, against Coventry City in the team's second game of the 2006–07 season with another free kick.{{Cite web |title=Saints 2 Coventry 0 |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=7302 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017182253/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=7302 |archive-date=17 October 2007 |access-date=21 January 2007 |publisher=Southampton F.C.}} Bale further developed his reputation as a threat on free kicks when he struck the post from one against West Bromwich Albion.{{Cite web |title=Saints 0 West Brom 0 |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=7330 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017182258/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=7330 |archive-date=17 October 2007 |access-date=21 January 2007 |publisher=Southampton F.C.}} By 16 December 2006, Bale's goal count had risen to five, thanks to a late equaliser against Sunderland{{Cite web |title=Sunderland 1 Saints 1 |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=7718 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017182303/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/?page_id=7718 |archive-date=17 October 2007 |access-date=21 January 2007 |publisher=Southampton F.C.}} and free kicks away to Hull City{{Cite web |title=Hull v Saints |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=7811 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926221907/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=7811 |archive-date=26 September 2007 |access-date=21 January 2007 |publisher=Southampton F.C.}} and at home to Norwich City.{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jeremy |date=18 December 2006 |title=Bale Hailed as Saint's saviour |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/dec/18/match.southampton |access-date=18 March 2018 |archive-date=19 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319084602/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/dec/18/match.southampton |url-status=live}}

In December 2006, he won the Carwyn James Award for the BBC Wales Young Sports Personality of the Year,{{Cite news |date=3 December 2006 |title=Calzaghe scoops BBC Wales honour |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/6157171.stm |access-date=21 January 2007 |archive-date=17 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117211603/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/6157171.stm |url-status=live}} and was named the Football League Young Player of the Year on 4 March 2007.{{Cite web |title=Prestige award for Bale |url=http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=8260 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307080722/http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=8260 |archive-date=7 March 2007 |access-date=5 March 2007 |publisher=Southampton F.C.}} This capped what was described in the local press as an "incredible" first full season as a professional footballer in which he was one of the Saints' "most creative players even (though operating) from the left-back position whilst his defending improved immeasurably as the season progressed."{{Cite news |last=Leitch |first=Adam |date=11 May 2007 |title=Introducing your Saints heroes… |page=20 |work=Daily Echo}}

His final game for Southampton was in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final against Derby County on 12 May 2007. Bale suffered an injury during the second half, preventing him from appearing in the second leg.{{Cite news |date=12 May 2007 |title=Southampton 1–2 Derby |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6645679.stm |access-date=3 June 2007 |archive-date=8 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008151911/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6645679.stm |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=13 April 2007 |title=Bale KO'd for two weeks |work=Southern Daily Echo |url=http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/archive/2007/04/13/Saints/1326488.Bale_KO_d_for_two_weeks/ |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814162557/https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/archive/2007/04/13/Saints/1326488.Bale_KO_d_for_two_weeks/ |archive-date=14 August 2011}} In total, he made 45 appearances for Southampton, scoring five goals.{{Soccerbase season|43700|2006|access-date=27 September 2018}}

On 25 May 2007, Bale signed a four-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur with the club paying an initial £5 million for the player, potentially rising to £10 million based on appearances and success.{{Cite news |date=25 May 2007 |title=Tottenham complete Bale transfer |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/6693839.stm |access-date=18 April 2010 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/6693839.stm |url-status=live}}

File:Gareth Bale.jpg

Bale played his first game for Spurs in a friendly against St. Patrick's Athletic on 12 July 2007, but was substituted on the 80th minute with a minor dead leg. He made his competitive debut for Tottenham Hotspur on 26 August away against Manchester United.{{Cite news |last1=Butler |first1=Jeremy |last2=McKenna |first2=Chris |date=26 February 2013 |title=Gareth Bale: From Spurs jinx to 'world-class' performer |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21584747 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928064057/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21584747 |url-status=live}} On 1 September 2007, in his second Spurs appearance, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–3 draw with Fulham.{{Cite news |last=Mercer |first=Nathan |date=1 September 2007 |title=Fulham 3–3 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6963700.stm |access-date=2 September 2007 |archive-date=24 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224024814/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6963700.stm |url-status=live}} Bale went on to score against Arsenal in the North London derby from a free kick.{{Cite news |date=15 September 2007 |title=Tottenham 1–3 Arsenal |work=BBC Sport |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6984884.stm |access-date=2 September 2009 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235115/http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/6984884.stm |url-status=live}} He then scored in the League Cup home tie against Middlesbrough.{{Cite news |date=26 September 2007 |title=Tottenham 2–0 Middlesbrough |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7008022.stm |access-date=2 September 2009 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221518/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/7008022.stm |url-status=live}}

On 2 December 2007, Bale was substituted after sustaining an injury resulting from a tackle from Fabrice Muamba in the league fixture against Birmingham City. A scan revealed that Bale had suffered ligament damage to his right ankle, consigning him to an extended period on the sidelines. Bale had exploratory surgery on 11 December.{{Cite news |last=Hytner |first=David |date=11 December 2007 |title=Football: Bale out for at least three months |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/11/newsstory.sport9 |access-date=6 January 2013 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902013651/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/dec/11/newsstory.sport9 |url-status=live}} By February 2008, it became clear that Bale was to miss the rest of the season through injury.{{Cite news |date=4 February 2008 |title=Injury rules out Bale for season |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7226918.stm |access-date=9 February 2008 |archive-date=7 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207131730/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7226918.stm |url-status=live}} Sporting Director of Tottenham, Damien Comolli said, "Even if the examination reveals that Gareth's foot is stable, the decision has been taken to bring him back slowly to ensure he does not get a repeat of the injury or suffer any further damage. Gareth is obviously disappointed to be sidelined for this length of time but he is still young and we have to do what is best for him in the long run."

Bale returned to fitness in August 2008, the same month he signed a new four-year deal with the club,{{Cite news |date=13 August 2008 |title=Bale signs new Tottenham contract |work=BBC Sport |url=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7558883.stm |access-date=13 August 2008 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235118/http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7558883.stm |url-status=live}} and went on to make 30 appearances for Tottenham in all competitions that season.{{Soccerbase season|43700|2008|name=Gareth Bale|access-date=14 June 2020}} He picked up his first career red card in a 2–1 defeat at Stoke City in October 2008.{{Cite web |date=19 October 2008 |title=Stoke 2–1 Tottenham |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7665101.stm |access-date=14 June 2020 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=28 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028083813/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7665101.stm |url-status=live}} That season he took part in the League Cup final against Manchester United. Bale came off the bench in the 98th minute in extra time with the final result deadlocked at 0–0 resulting in a penalty shoot-out that ended 4–1 to Manchester United.{{Cite news |last=Smyth |first=Rob |date=1 March 2009 |title=Manchester United v Tottenham – as it happened |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/mar/01/carlingcup-tottenham-hotspur |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128144215/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/mar/01/carlingcup-tottenham-hotspur |url-status=live}}

In June 2009, Bale underwent surgery for a knee injury, ruling him out for over two months. He missed pre-season matches and it was projected that he would miss the first few weeks of the 2009–10 season.{{Cite news |date=3 June 2009 |title=Gareth Bale could miss start of next season after knee surgery |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/03/gareth-bale-tottenham-wales-surgery |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=13 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913223410/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/03/gareth-bale-tottenham-wales-surgery |url-status=live}} On 26 September, he made his comeback as an 85th-minute substitute in Tottenham's 5–0 win over Burnley. This was Bale's first ever involvement in a Premier League win, after not being on the winning side since the Southampton move;{{Cite web |last=Lillywhite |first=Jamie |date=26 September 2009 |title=Tottenham 5–0 Burnley |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8269521.stm |access-date=27 September 2018 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=29 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829163919/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8269521.stm |url-status=live}} however, he struggled to break into the first team, in part due to Benoit Assou-Ekotto's form. When Assou-Ekotto was sidelined with an injury, manager Harry Redknapp decided to give Bale a chance and he impressed in Spurs' FA Cup third-round 4–0 win over Peterborough United.{{Cite news |last=Hytner |first=David |date=13 January 2010 |title=Tottenham manager challenges Gareth Bale to claim a starting place |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/13/gareth-bale-harry-redknapp-tottenham |access-date=3 May 2010 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902013703/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/13/gareth-bale-harry-redknapp-tottenham |url-status=live}} His first victory as a starter in a league game came in the 2–0 win over London rivals Fulham on 26 January 2010.{{Cite news |date=26 January 2010 |title=Tottenham 2–0 Fulham |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8467865.stm |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8467865.stm |url-status=live}}

Bale's good form continued and he was named Player of the Round after helping Spurs to a 3–1 win in the sixth round replay of the FA Cup against Fulham.{{Cite news |date=1 March 2010 |title=Gareth wins award |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/gareth-wins-award-010310.html |access-date=21 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304051340/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/gareth-wins-award-010310.html |archive-date=4 March 2010}} In April 2010, Bale scored the winning goal in a 2–1 North London derby win against Arsenal, tapping past Manuel Almunia, after a pass from Jermain Defoe.{{Cite web |date=14 April 2010 |title=Unforgettable night! |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/unforgettable-night-140410.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417061314/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/unforgettable-night-140410.html |archive-date=17 April 2010 |access-date=18 April 2010 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}} Three days later, Bale scored Tottenham's winning goal with his weaker right foot in a 2–1 victory over league leaders and eventual champions Chelsea and was named man of the match.{{Cite web |date=17 April 2010 |title=The dream derby double! |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/report-170410.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420121717/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/report-170410.html |archive-date=20 April 2010 |access-date=18 April 2010 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}} He was named Premier League Player of the Month for April 2010.{{Cite web |date=30 April 2010 |title=Gareth named Player of the Month |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/gareth-awarded-player-of-the-month-for-april-300410.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503135411/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/gareth-awarded-player-of-the-month-for-april-300410.html |archive-date=3 May 2010 |access-date=30 April 2010 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}} He signed a new four-year contract at White Hart Lane on 7 May 2010, as a reward for helping the club reaching a 2010–11 UEFA Champions League qualification place.{{Cite news |date=7 May 2010 |title=Gareth Bale signs new four-year Tottenham contract |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8667580.stm |access-date=7 May 2010 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8667580.stm |url-status=live}}

On 21 August 2010, Bale scored twice in a 2–1 win at Stoke City, the second of which was a head-high volley into the top right hand corner of the goal.{{Cite news |last=Lyon |first=Sam |date=21 August 2010 |title=Stoke 1–2 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8928595.stm |access-date=21 August 2010 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221544/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8928595.stm |url-status=live}} This was later awarded the BBC Goal of the Month for August 2010. On 25 August, Bale set up all four goals to help Spurs overcome Young Boys 4–0 (6–3 agg.) in a Champions League play-off at White Hart Lane.{{Cite news |date=25 August 2010 |title=Tottenham 4–0 Young Boys (agg 6–3) |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8939577.stm |access-date=25 August 2010 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221520/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8939577.stm |url-status=live}} Although Assou-Ekotto had already returned from injury, Bale continued his good form and cemented his place in the starting eleven, with his manager opting him to move to left wing to accommodate Assou-Ekotto at left-back.{{Cite web |date=21 October 2010 |title=Hat-trick hero Gareth Bale has "No intention to leave Spurs" |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hat-trick-hero-gareth-bale-no-1892779 |access-date=27 September 2018 |website=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235116/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hat-trick-hero-gareth-bale-no-1892779 |url-status=live}} On 29 September, Bale scored his first Champions League goal for Tottenham in a 4–1 home win against Dutch champions Twente in their second game of the group stages.{{Cite web |date=29 September 2010 |title=Tottenham 4–1 FC Twente |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9037933.stm |access-date=27 September 2018 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235119/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/9037933.stm |url-status=live}} For his performances, he was named Welsh Player of the Year by the Football Association of Wales (FAW).{{Cite news |date=4 October 2010 |title=Gareth Bale named Wales' player of the year |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/9060367.stm? |access-date=4 October 2010 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809133513/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/9060367.stm |url-status=live}}

On 20 October, Bale scored his first senior hat-trick against European champions Inter Milan at the San Siro in the Champions League. Tottenham lost the match 4–3, having been 4–0 down inside the first 35 minutes and playing with ten men for over 80 minutes of the match after goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes had been sent off in the eighth minute for a professional foul on Inter's Jonathan Biabiany.{{Cite news |date=20 October 2010 |title=Inter Milan 4–3 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9102192.stm |access-date=20 October 2010 |archive-date=24 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724233127/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9102192.stm |url-status=live}} In the return match at White Hart Lane on 2 November, Bale provided a man-of-the-match performance, setting up goals for Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko to earn Spurs a memorable 3–1 win.{{Cite news |date=2 November 2010 |title=Tottenham 3–1 Inter Milan |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9145936.stm |access-date=2 November 2010 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235142/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/9145936.stm |url-status=live}}

On 4 November, Bale stated that he intended to remain at Tottenham for the remainder of his recently signed four-year contract, despite reported interest from other clubs, then, in December, he was awarded the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year trophy.{{Cite news |date=6 December 2010 |title=Gareth Bale wins BBC Wales Sports Personality award |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/9261532.stm |access-date=11 December 2013 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235124/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/wales/9261532.stm |url-status=live}} On 19 March 2011, it was announced he would then extended his stay at the club until 2015.{{Cite web |title=New deal for Bale |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/new-deal-for-bale-190311.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322031414/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/new-deal-for-bale-190311.html |archive-date=22 March 2011 |access-date=19 March 2011 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}} On 17 April, Bale was honoured with the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, as voted for by his peers.{{Cite news |date=17 April 2011 |title=Spurs' Gareth Bale wins PFA player of the year award |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13110874 |access-date=23 May 2018 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604104138/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13110874 |url-status=live}}

With Spurs, he rose to international attention during the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League with Tottenham.{{Cite web |date=10 November 2011 |title=Riise: Bale is world's best left winger |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/982258/john-arne-riise-gareth-bale-the-best-left-sided-player-in-world |access-date=7 March 2016 |website=ESPN FC |archive-date=8 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008115910/http://www.espnfc.com/story/982258/john-arne-riise-gareth-bale-the-best-left-sided-player-in-world |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=9 March 2011 |title=Fabio – Bale is world's best |work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6803404,00.html |access-date=30 December 2011 |archive-date=13 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813201026/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6803404,00.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=28 December 2011 |title=Gareth Bale has everything says Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16342814.stm |access-date=29 December 2011 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221519/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16342814 |url-status=live}}

File:Gareth Bale Tottenham.jpg

Bale scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season on 24 September 2011, in an away game against Wigan Athletic. The game ended in a 2–1 victory for Tottenham.{{Cite news |date=24 September 2011 |title=Wigan 1–2 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14957897.stm |access-date=15 January 2012 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221522/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14957897 |url-status=live}} He added his second and third goals of the season on 30 October with two goals against Queens Park Rangers in a 3–1 home win.{{Cite news |date=30 October 2011 |title=Tottenham 3–1 QPR |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15419853.stm |access-date=15 January 2012}} He continued his good form with the first goal in a 3–1 victory over Fulham the following week, whilst also setting up Aaron Lennon who made it 2–0 on the stroke of half time.{{Cite news |date=6 November 2011 |title=Fulham 1–3 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15510798.stm |access-date=15 January 2012 |archive-date=24 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124050541/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15510798 |url-status=live}} The first goal against Fulham was later ruled by the "dubious goals committee" to be an own goal by Chris Baird.{{Cite web |date=12 January 2012 |title=Twenty-five goals between 12 October to 21 December are ruled on |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/dubious-goals-panel-ruling.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116102218/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/dubious-goals-panel-ruling.html |archive-date=16 January 2012 |access-date=3 February 2012 |publisher=Premier League}}

On 3 December, Bale scored the first goal in Tottenham's 3–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers. He marked the goal with a tribute to Gary Speed by holding up his left boot, with "R.I.P Gary Speed" stitched on it, in front of the Bolton fans.{{Cite news |date=3 December 2011 |title=Tottenham 3–0 Bolton |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15901689.stm |access-date=4 December 2011 |archive-date=20 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020114413/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15901689 |url-status=live}} On 27 December, Bale scored twice to give Tottenham a 2–0 win against Norwich City.{{Cite news |date=27 December 2011 |title=Norwich 0–2 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16260392.stm |access-date=15 January 2012 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221604/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16260392 |url-status=live}} On 5 January 2012, Bale was one of the players voted into the 2011 UEFA Team of the Year. He scored his third brace of the season as he scored twice against Wigan, on 31 January to take his tally to ten goals for the season.{{Cite news |date=31 January 2012 |title=Tottenham 3–1 Wigan |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16695945.stm |access-date=1 February 2012 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221535/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16695945 |url-status=live}} In January 2012, he was named Premier League Player of the Month for the second time in his career, after three goals and two assists in the Premier League for the month.{{Cite news |date=4 February 2012 |title=Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers & Tottenham's Gareth Bale rewarded |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16886771 |access-date=13 October 2012 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208075553/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16886771 |url-status=live}} On 27 June, Bale signed a new four-year contract, committing his future to the club until 2016.{{Cite web |date=27 June 2012 |title=New Contract For Gareth |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/new-contract-for-gareth-27062012.page |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629221525/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/new-contract-for-gareth-27062012.page |archive-date=29 June 2012 |access-date=13 October 2012 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}}

For the 2012–13 season, Bale changed his squad number from 3 to 11 as he was "not a left-back anymore" and had asked the club for a "higher number".{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |date=28 September 2012 |title=Tottenham's future looks bright ... just give us time, says Gareth Bale |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/sep/28/gareth-bale-tottenham-hotspur-future |access-date=5 October 2012 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902013710/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/sep/28/gareth-bale-tottenham-hotspur-future |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Summerscales |first=Robert |date=1 August 2012 |title=Gareth Bale to change squad number |url=http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/spurs/news/bale-to-change-squad-number_37488.html |access-date=22 August 2013 |website=Sports Mole |archive-date=15 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715220749/http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/spurs/news/bale-to-change-squad-number_37488.html |url-status=live}} On 16 September 2012, Bale scored his first goal of the 2012–13 season against Reading in a 3–1 away victory.{{Cite news |date=16 September 2012 |title=Reading 1–3 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19491534 |access-date=13 October 2012 |archive-date=25 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121125122058/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19491534 |url-status=live}} On 29 September, Bale scored the second goal in Tottenham's 3–2 away victory over Manchester United, their first win at Old Trafford since 1989.{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |date=29 September 2012 |title=Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale banishes Manchester United hoodoo |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/sep/29/manchester-united-tottenham-hotspur-premier-league?newsfeed=true |access-date=13 October 2012 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902013717/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/sep/29/manchester-united-tottenham-hotspur-premier-league?newsfeed=true |url-status=live}}

He scored his first Premier League hat-trick in a 4–0 away win on Boxing Day against Aston Villa.{{Cite news |date=26 December 2012 |title=Aston Villa 0–4 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20779178 |access-date=26 December 2012 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126134512/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20779178 |url-status=live}} On 5 January 2013, Bale scored in the FA Cup third round fixture against Coventry City as well as assisting Clint Dempsey on both of his goals in a 3–0 win.{{Cite news |date=5 January 2013 |title=Tottenham 3–0 Coventry City |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20863351 |access-date=15 February 2013 |archive-date=7 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107045349/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20863351? |url-status=live}} On 30 January, Bale scored a magnificent solo effort in the 1–1 draw with Norwich City.{{Cite news |last=Monaghan |first=Matt |date=30 January 2013 |title=Norwich 1–1 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21156089 |access-date=15 February 2013 |archive-date=3 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203052241/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21156089 |url-status=live}} Bale then scored against West Bromwich Albion in a 1–0 away win on 3 February.{{Cite news |date=3 February 2013 |title=West Brom 0–1 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21218472 |access-date=15 February 2013 |archive-date=11 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211063256/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21218472 |url-status=live}} Bale then took his goal tally of the season to 15 goals with a brace against Newcastle United in a match which Spurs won 2–1. This took Spurs into third place and strengthened their Champions League ambitions.{{Cite news |date=9 February 2013 |title=Tottenham 2–1 Newcastle |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21311425 |access-date=15 February 2013 |archive-date=11 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211190808/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21311425? |url-status=live}}

In Bale's next game, he scored directly from two free kicks, one from 35 yards out just before half time and another from 25 yards out in the dying seconds of injury time, to give Tottenham a 2–1 victory over Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie on 14 February. This took Bale to a tally of ten goals in his previous ten appearances.{{Cite news |date=14 February 2013 |title=Tottenham 2–1 Lyon |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21448082 |access-date=15 February 2013 |archive-date=15 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215051246/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21448082 |url-status=live}} In Tottenham's Premier League match against West Ham on 25 February, Bale scored the first and third in a 3–2 win for Tottenham. His second, a long range dipping strike from over 30 yards, in the dying stages of the game, capped a world class performance. This was his eighth goal in six games.{{Cite news |date=25 February 2013 |title=West Ham 2–3 Tottenham |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21495920 |access-date=26 February 2013 |archive-date=26 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226042248/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21495920 |url-status=live}}

On 3 March, Bale scored against Arsenal in a North London derby that Tottenham won 2–1.{{Cite magazine |date=3 March 2013 |title=Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur beat Arsenal |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130303/tottenham-hotspur-spurs-arsenal-gareth-bale.ap/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306024833/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/20130303/tottenham-hotspur-spurs-arsenal-gareth-bale.ap/ |archive-date=6 March 2013 |access-date=3 March 2013 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} On 7 March, Tottenham faced Inter Milan in the Europa League, with Bale scoring the opening goal and Tottenham winning 3–0.{{Cite news |date=7 March 2013 |title=Tottenham 3–0 Inter Milan |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21611955 |access-date=16 March 2013 |archive-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315072759/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21611955 |url-status=live}} Bale's run of good form in the early months of 2013 saw him win Premier League Player of the Month for February{{Cite web |date=1 March 2013 |title=Spurs double up with Barclays monthly awards |url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2012-13/mar/andre-villas-boas-and-gareth-bale-win-barclays-february-awards.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304034154/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2012-13/mar/andre-villas-boas-and-gareth-bale-win-barclays-february-awards.html |archive-date=4 March 2013 |access-date=27 September 2018 |publisher=Premier League}} as well as the BBC Goal of the Month in both January and February for his strikes against Norwich City and West Ham United respectively.{{Cite web |last=Nathans |first=Dan |date=23 May 2013 |title=BBC Match of the Day's Goals of the Season |url=http://www.ftbpro.com/posts/dan.nathans/202003/bbc-match-of-the-day-s-goals-of-the-season |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419025742/http://www.ftbpro.com/posts/dan.nathans/202003/bbc-match-of-the-day-s-goals-of-the-season |archive-date=19 April 2014 |access-date=17 April 2014 |publisher=FTBpro}} On 4 April, Bale injured his right ankle in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Basel.{{Cite news |last=Hytner |first=David |date=4 April 2013 |title=Gareth Bale injury is 'hopefully not too bad', says André Villas-Boas |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/04/gareth-bale-tottenham-hotspur-basel?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116095159/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/04/gareth-bale-tottenham-hotspur-basel?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 |url-status=live}} On his return from injury, Bale scored a goal and assisted Clint Dempsey as Tottenham beat Manchester City at White Hart Lane.{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jeremy |date=21 April 2013 |title=Tottenham Hotspur 3 Manchester City 1 |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10008427/Tottenham-Hotspur-3-Manchester-City-1-match-report.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/10008427/Tottenham-Hotspur-3-Manchester-City-1-match-report.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}

On 28 April, Bale won both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year after his excellent showing in the 2012–13 season.{{Cite news |date=28 April 2013 |title=Gareth Bale wins PFA Player of Year and Young Player awards |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22331030 |access-date=23 May 2018 |archive-date=26 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126003404/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22331030 |url-status=live}} A week later, on 2 May 2013, he added the FWA Footballer of the Year Award from the Football Writers' Association, making Bale one of only two players who have won all three in the same season – the other being Cristiano Ronaldo, who won them in 2007.{{Cite news |date=2 May 2013 |title=Gareth Bale named Player of the Year by Football Writers |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22382641 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116023742/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22382641 |url-status=live}} Bale scored the winning goal against his former club Southampton on 4 May. The goal gave Spurs a 1–0 win as well as being Bale's 20th in the Premier League in his 200th appearance for Spurs. On 19 May, Bale scored a 90th-minute goal from 25 yards out. This goal gave Spurs a 1–0 win over Sunderland, but was not enough to give them Champions League football for the following season.{{Cite news |date=19 May 2013 |title=Tottenham 1–0 Sunderland |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22499089 |access-date=1 September 2013 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902221925/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22499089 |url-status=live}}

File:Gareth Bale RM.jpg

On 1 September 2013, Spanish club Real Madrid announced that they had reached an agreement for the transfer of Bale,{{Cite news |date=1 September 2013 |title=Club announcement |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/club-announcement-010913/ |access-date=1 September 2013 |archive-date=8 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008032510/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/club-announcement-010913/ |url-status=live}} signing a six-year deal in a then world record deal.{{Cite news |date=1 September 2013 |title=Gareth Bale joins Real Madrid from Spurs in £85m world record deal |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23538218 |access-date=18 March 2018 |archive-date=26 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326104816/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23538218 |url-status=live}} The Spanish press (and Real Madrid TV) reported that Bale had cost £77 million (€91 million), while the British press reported a world record transfer fee of £85.3 million (€100 million), which would be above Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer record fee of £80 million (€94 million);{{Cite web |date=2 September 2013 |title=Real Madrid Sign Midfielder Gareth Bale For World-Record $132 Million |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/09/02/real-madrid-sign-midfielder-gareth-bale-for-world-record-132-million/ |access-date=2 September 2013 |website=CBS News New York |archive-date=20 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520221701/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/09/02/real-madrid-sign-midfielder-gareth-bale-for-world-record-132-million/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jeremy |date=2 September 2013 |title=Gareth Bale joins Real Madrid from Tottenham for a world record fee of £86m |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/10258890/Gareth-Bale-joins-Real-Madrid-from-Tottenham-for-a-world-record-fee-of-86m.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/10258890/Gareth-Bale-joins-Real-Madrid-from-Tottenham-for-a-world-record-fee-of-86m.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |last=Peck |first=Brooks |date=1 September 2013 |title=Gareth Bale finally sold to Real Madrid and it's even FIFA 14 official |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/gareth-bale-finally-sold-real-madrid-even-fifa-205822718--sow.html |access-date=7 September 2013 |website=Yahoo! Sport |archive-date=3 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130903234955/http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/gareth-bale-finally-sold-real-madrid-even-fifa-205822718--sow.html |url-status=live}} however, in January 2016, documents pertaining to the transfer were leaked by Football Leaks which confirmed a world record transfer fee of €100.8 million (£85.1 million).{{Cite news |date=21 January 2016 |title=Gareth Bale contract leak sparks panic at Real Madrid – and agent's fury |work=The Daily Telegraph |issue=21 January 2016 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/gareth-bale/12111960/Revealed-How-Real-Madrid-claimed-Gareth-Bale-transfer-was-not-a-world-record-to-keep-Cristiano-Ronaldo-happy.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/gareth-bale/12111960/Revealed-How-Real-Madrid-claimed-Gareth-Bale-transfer-was-not-a-world-record-to-keep-Cristiano-Ronaldo-happy.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} Bale's record was surpassed in August 2016 by Paul Pogba's record fee of €105 million (£89.2 million).{{Cite web |date=8 August 2016 |title=Official: Pogba signs for Man Utd for €105m |url=http://www.football-italia.net/88963/official-pogba-signs-man-utd |access-date=8 August 2016 |website=Football Italia |archive-date=20 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820151621/http://www.football-italia.net/88963/official-pogba-signs-man-utd |url-status=live}} Bale was assigned the number 11 shirt at Madrid.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Ben |date=1 September 2013 |title=Gareth Bale: Real Madrid star will keep his feet firmly on the ground |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23588541 |access-date=2 September 2013 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902083035/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23588541 |url-status=live}}

The first half of Bale's season was plagued by injuries; of Real's first 16 games after his signing, Bale missed five and was substituted on or off in six others, playing only five full games.{{Cite web |last=Percy |first=John |date=22 December 2013 |title=Seventh Match That Misses Bale |url=http://soccerly.com/article/soccerly/seventh-match-that-misses-bale |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108115735/http://soccerly.com/article/soccerly/seventh-match-that-misses-bale |archive-date=8 January 2014 |access-date=11 January 2014 |website=Soccerly}}{{Cite web |date=5 January 2014 |title=Gareth Bale set to be on bench for Real Madrid's clash with Celta Vigo |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-gareth-bale-set-to-be-on-bench-for-real-madrid-s-clash-with-celta-vigo-1945890 |access-date=11 January 2014 |website=DNA India |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407132333/https://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-gareth-bale-set-to-be-on-bench-for-real-madrid-s-clash-with-celta-vigo-1945890 |url-status=live}} Bale scored on his Real Madrid debut, a goal coming in the 38th minute against Villarreal, before being substituted later in the game for Ángel Di María.{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Scott |date=14 September 2013 |title=Villarreal v Real Madrid – live! |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/14/villarreal-real-madrid-live-mbm |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118112413/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/14/villarreal-real-madrid-live-mbm |url-status=live}} Bale's second appearance for Madrid came in a 6–1 victory over Galatasaray in the Champions League. Although Bale only played the final 26 minutes, his free kick led to Cristiano Ronaldo's second goal of the game.{{Cite news |date=18 September 2013 |title=Galatasaray 1–6 R Madrid |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/galatasaray-vs-r-madrid/301228 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044001/https://www.skysports.com/football/galatasaray-vs-r-madrid/301228 |url-status=live}} On 28 September 2013, Bale made his home debut as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 loss to local rivals Atlético Madrid.{{Cite news |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=28 September 2013 |title=Real Madrid 0 Atletico Madrid 1: Atlético Madrid's Diego Costa ruins Gareth Bale's home debut for Real |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/28/real-madrid-atletico-madrid-la-liga |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=25 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625021759/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/sep/28/real-madrid-atletico-madrid-la-liga |url-status=live}}

Following a brief appearance against Juventus in the Champions League,{{Cite news |date=23 October 2013 |title=R Madrid 2–1 Juventus |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/r-madrid-vs-juventus/300939 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928044032/https://www.skysports.com/football/r-madrid-vs-juventus/300939 |url-status=live}} Bale made his El Clásico debut on 26 October, but was substituted in the 61st minute. Barcelona won the game 2–1 and Bale's performance drew some media criticism.{{Cite news |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=27 October 2013 |title=Gareth Bale gets lost in the middle as Real Madrid falter at Barcelona |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/27/gareth-bale-barcelona-real-madrid-match-report |access-date=6 November 2013 |archive-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031130538/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/27/gareth-bale-barcelona-real-madrid-match-report |url-status=live}} Four days later, he scored two goals and assisted two in a 7–3 victory against Sevilla. Following his impressive performance the Spanish press nicknamed Bale "The Cannon".{{Cite news |date=31 October 2013 |title=Real Madrid 7–3 Sevilla |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24732930 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106082433/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24732930 |url-status=live}}

In November, he assisted a further two goals in Madrid's 3–2 victory over Rayo Vallecano,{{Cite news |last=Cryer |first=Pete |date=2 November 2013 |title=Rayo Vallecano 2–3 Real Madrid |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24789730 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106082527/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24789730 |url-status=live}} before scoring in a 2–2 draw with Juventus in the Champions League.{{Cite news |date=5 November 2013 |title=Juventus 2–2 Real Madrid |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24809321 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106082301/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24809321 |url-status=live}} He then scored a 25-yard free kick against Galatasaray in the Champions League, a match which Madrid won 4–1 despite being a man down.{{Cite news |date=27 November 2013 |title=Real Madrid 4–1 Galatasaray |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25128225 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225101251/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25128225 |url-status=live}} On 30 November, Bale rounded off the month with his first hat-trick for Real Madrid, as well as assisting Karim Benzema, in a 4–0 victory over Real Valladolid. It was a "perfect hat-trick": one goal with a header and one with each foot.{{Cite news |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=30 November 2013 |title=Real Madrid's Gareth Bale nets hat-trick against Real Valladolid |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/30/gareth-bale-real-madrid-valladolid |access-date=29 May 2014 |archive-date=29 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529163529/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/30/gareth-bale-real-madrid-valladolid |url-status=live}}{{Quote box|width=27%|align=right|quote="It is difficult to see a player sprint like that at that stage of the game."|source=—Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino on Bale's 85th minute winner for Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.}}On 26 February 2014, he scored twice in Real Madrid's 6–1 win against Schalke 04 in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.{{Cite news |date=27 February 2014 |title=Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale tear Schalke apart |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/26/schalke-real-madrid-champions-league-match-report |access-date=17 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227000928/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/feb/26/schalke-real-madrid-champions-league-match-report |archive-date=27 February 2014}} He then scored one of the team's three goals in a 3–0 quarter-final win over Borussia Dortmund on 2 April, taking him to five Champions League goals for the season.{{Cite news |date=2 April 2014 |title=Real Madrid 3–0 Borussia Dortmund |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26811638 |access-date=17 April 2014 |archive-date=10 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410211236/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26811638 |url-status=live}} In La Liga, he scored four goals in three matches between gameweeks 31 and 33, as Real Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano (5–0),{{Cite news |date=29 March 2014 |title=Real Madrid 5–0 Rayo Vallecano |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26714014 |access-date=17 April 2014 |archive-date=28 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428162604/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26714014 |url-status=live}} Real Sociedad (4–0){{Cite news |date=5 April 2014 |title=Real Sociedad 0–4 Real Madrid |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26879783 |access-date=17 April 2014 |archive-date=8 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408021848/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26879783 |url-status=live}} and Almería (4–0).{{Cite news |date=12 April 2014 |title=Real Madrid 4–0 Almería |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26933930 |access-date=17 April 2014 |archive-date=17 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417011835/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26933930 |url-status=live}}

On 16 April, Bale scored the winning goal for Real Madrid with five minutes remaining in the 2014 Copa del Rey Final against rivals Barcelona.{{Cite news |last=Jurejko |first=Jonathan |date=16 April 2014 |title=Gareth Bale helps Real Madrid beat Barcelona in Copa del Rey |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27053737 |access-date=17 April 2014 |archive-date=17 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417001108/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27053737 |url-status=live}} Considered one of the best goals of his career, Bale outsprinted Barcelona defender Marc Bartra from the halfway line (with Bale running off the field at one point) before converting past goalkeeper José Manuel Pinto. In the post match interview Bale stated, "I had to get round the player and go off the pitch to do it", while his Real Madrid teammate Xabi Alonso commented, "It was incredible, I have never seen anything like it". The goal was Bale's 20th of the season and his first in a Clásico fixture.{{Cite news |date=16 April 2014 |title=Gareth Bale: Copa del Rey winner incredible, says Xabi Alonso |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27059882 |access-date=12 February 2018 |archive-date=16 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116023742/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27059882 |url-status=live}}

File:Gareth Bale - CdR - RM v ATL.jpg

On 24 May, Bale scored in the 110th minute of the extra time period to put Real Madrid 2–1 up against city rivals Atlético Madrid in the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final, as Los Blancos won their tenth European Cup.{{Cite news |last=Collett |first=Mike |date=24 May 2014 |title=Ronaldo first to score for two different European Cup winners |work=Reuters |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/soccer-champions-ronaldo-idINL3N0OB00020140525 |access-date=25 May 2014 |archive-date=25 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525200442/http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/05/25/soccer-champions-ronaldo-idINL3N0OB00020140525 |url-status=dead}} The goal made Bale the first Welshman to score a goal in a European Cup/Champions League final.{{Cite web |date=29 March 2017 |title=Wales's biggest European success stories |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0252-0d044f6077ee-47b26eb0f30c-1000--aaron-ramsey-gareth-bale-ben-davies-who-are-wales-s-top-ue/ |access-date=27 September 2018 |publisher=UEFA |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927204538/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2293542.html |url-status=live}} Bale finished his debut season with 22 goals and 16 assists in all competitions.{{Cite web |title=Player profile – Gareth Bale |url=http://www.espnfc.com/player/_/id/77653/gareth-bale?cc=4716 |access-date=26 May 2014 |publisher=ESPN |archive-date=26 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526101424/http://www.espnfc.com/player/_/id/77653/gareth-bale?cc=4716 |url-status=live}} Real Madrid's attacking trio of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano, dubbed BBC, finished the season with 97 goals.{{Cite news |date=24 October 2015 |title=200 goals for the BBC |publisher=Real Madrid CF |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2015/09/200-goals-by-the-bbc |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118103246/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2015/09/200-goals-by-the-bbc |url-status=live}}

Bale started the 2014–15 season in good form, playing the full 90 minutes and assisting Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal in a 2–0 win at the Cardiff City Stadium against Sevilla to win the 2014 UEFA Super Cup.{{Cite news |last=Lovejoy |first=Joe |date=12 August 2014 |title=Cristiano Ronaldo flaunts Real Madrid pedigree in defeat of Sevilla |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/12/real-madrid-sevilla-european-super-cup-match-report |access-date=13 August 2014 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116092801/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/aug/12/real-madrid-sevilla-european-super-cup-match-report |url-status=live}} After the match, his performance was described as "amazing" by Ronaldo.{{Cite news |last=Winter |first=Henry |date=13 August 2014 |title=Gareth Bale hails Real Madrid's statement of intent to scoop six trophies after Uefa Super Cup success |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/gareth-bale/11031882/Gareth-Bale-hails-Real-Madrids-statement-of-intent-to-scoop-six-trophies-after-Uefa-Super-Cup-success.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 August 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/players/gareth-bale/11031882/Gareth-Bale-hails-Real-Madrids-statement-of-intent-to-scoop-six-trophies-after-Uefa-Super-Cup-success.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} Six days later, Bale scored his first goal of the season in a 4–2 away loss to Real Sociedad.{{Cite news |date=31 August 2014 |title=Real Sociedad 4–2 Real Madrid |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28996955 |access-date=31 August 2014 |archive-date=1 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901211522/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28996955 |url-status=live}} Bale scored twice in Real's 8–2 win over Deportivo La Coruña on 20 September 2014.{{Cite web |last=Fenn |first=Alec |date=20 September 2014 |title=Deportivo 2–8 Real Madrid: Ronaldo hits hat-trick in devastating Blancos display |url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/deportivo-la-coru%C3%B1a-vs-real-madrid/1821405/report |access-date=14 February 2015 |website=goal.com |archive-date=9 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109014426/http://www.goal.com/en/match/deportivo-la-coru%C3%B1a-vs-real-madrid/1821405/report |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=20 September 2014 |title=Deportivo 2 Real Madrid 8 |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29275785 |access-date=14 February 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017164604/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29275785 |url-status=live}}

In December 2014, Bale scored in a third major final, the second goal in a 2–0 win over San Lorenzo, to help the club win the FIFA Club World Cup.{{Cite news |date=20 December 2014 |title=Real Madrid 2–0 San Lorenzo |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30529277 |access-date=20 December 2014 |archive-date=21 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221084706/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30529277 |url-status=live}} In a match against Espanyol on 10 January 2015, Bale was booed by a section of Madrid fans who adjudged him as being selfish in shooting for goal and not passing to Ronaldo.{{Cite news |date=11 January 2015 |title=Gareth Bale booed by Real Madrid fans for not passing to Cristiano Ronaldo |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/gareth-bale-booed-by-real-madrid-fans-for-not-passing-to-cristiano-ronaldo-9970984.html |access-date=13 February 2015 |archive-date=13 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213214039/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/gareth-bale-booed-by-real-madrid-fans-for-not-passing-to-cristiano-ronaldo-9970984.html |url-status=live}} Bale was defended by Carlo Ancelotti over this plus difficulties at the end of the season.{{Cite news |date=16 May 2015 |title=Gareth Bale defended by Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/16/gareth-bale-real-madrid-carlo-ancelotti-paying-the-price |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928003357/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/16/gareth-bale-real-madrid-carlo-ancelotti-paying-the-price |url-status=live}} On 18 April, Bale sustained a calf injury against Málaga.{{Cite news |date=20 April 2015 |title=Real Madrid's Gareth Bale set to miss Champions League tie with Atlético Madrid |work=The Guardian |agency=Press Association |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/20/gareth-bale-real-madrid-miss-atletico-calf-injury |access-date=21 April 2015 |archive-date=21 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421004924/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/20/gareth-bale-real-madrid-miss-atletico-calf-injury |url-status=live}}

File:Gareth Bale 2015 (9).jpg campaign]]

Bale scored twice in Real's win over Real Betis in September 2015. His two goals took the total number of goals of Madrid's attacking trio of Bale, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo to 200 goals since they first played together in 2013.

On 20 December 2015, he scored four goals in a 10–2 victory over Rayo Vallecano.{{Cite news |date=20 December 2015 |title=Real Madrid 10–2 Rayo Vallecano |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35141793 |access-date=20 December 2015 |archive-date=20 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220171614/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35141793 |url-status=live}} On 9 January 2016, Bale scored his second hat-trick of the season in Madrid's 5–0 defeat of Deportivo La Coruña in Zinedine Zidane's first match as head coach of Los Blancos.{{Cite news |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=9 January 2016 |title=Real Madrid and Gareth Bale give Zinedine Zidane the perfect start |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/09/real-madrid-gareth-bale-zinedine-zidane-deportivo-la-coruna-la-liga-match-report |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-date=4 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204060136/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/09/real-madrid-gareth-bale-zinedine-zidane-deportivo-la-coruna-la-liga-match-report |url-status=live}} After being sidelined since 19 January, due to a calf injury he sustained in a 5–1 league victory at home against Sporting Gijón, during which he had also scored the opening goal of the match,{{Cite news |date=19 January 2016 |title=Gareth Bale damaged calf muscle in Real Madrid's win over Sporting Gijón |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/19/gareth-bale-damaged-calf-muscle-real-madrid-sporting-gijon |access-date=5 March 2016 |archive-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628153822/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/19/gareth-bale-damaged-calf-muscle-real-madrid-sporting-gijon |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Gholam |first=Simeon |date=4 March 2016 |title=Gareth Bale set to return from injury for Real Madrid |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11835/10191499/gareth-bale-set-to-return-from-injury-for-real-madrid |access-date=5 March 2016 |website=Sky Sports |archive-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628153106/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11835/10191499/gareth-bale-set-to-return-from-injury-for-real-madrid |url-status=live}} Bale returned to the pitch on 5 March; he made a substitute appearance in Real Madrid's 7–1 home win over Celta Vigo, scoring Real Madrid's final goal of the match.{{Cite news |date=5 March 2016 |title=Real Madrid 7–1 Celta Vigo |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35727197 |access-date=5 March 2016 |archive-date=12 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712235444/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35727197 |url-status=live}}

On 20 March 2016, Bale scored his 43rd La Liga goal in a 4–0 defeat of Sevilla to surpass Gary Lineker as the highest scoring British player in the competition's history.{{Cite news |last=Jurejko |first=Jonathan |date=20 March 2016 |title=Real Madrid 4–0 Sevilla |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35803913 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717163233/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35803913 |url-status=live}} On 23 April, Bale scored twice as Real Madrid came from 0–2 down to win 3–2 at Rayo Vallecano.{{Cite news |date=23 April 2016 |title=Real Madrid's Gareth Bale scores late winner against Rayo Vallecano |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/23/rayo-vallecano-real-madrid-la-liga-match-report |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628154033/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/23/rayo-vallecano-real-madrid-la-liga-match-report |url-status=live}} Bale was a regular starter when the team won the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League. He assisted the team's only goal and went on to score in the penalty shoot-out win over Atlético Madrid in the final.{{Cite web |date=28 May 2016 |title=Spot-on Real Madrid defeat Atlético in final again |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/022d-0e957c5979eb-37493cb53cd0-1000--spot-on-real-madrid-defeat-atletico-in-final-again/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601003909/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2016/matches/round=2000638/match=2015789/postmatch/report/index.html |archive-date=1 June 2016 |access-date=27 September 2018 |url-status=live |publisher=UEFA}}

On 30 October 2016, Bale signed a new contract with Madrid until 2022.{{Cite web |date=30 October 2016 |title=Official Announcement: Bale |url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/10/official-announcement-bale |access-date=27 September 2018 |publisher=Real Madrid CF |archive-date=30 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030202222/http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/10/official-announcement-bale |url-status=live}} On 22 November 2016, Bale damaged his ankle tendons during the 2–1 victory at Sporting CP that would rule him out for up to four months.{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=George |date=2 December 2016 |title=Real Madrid's Gareth Bale facing four months out after ankle injury revealed to be worse than expected |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/bale-facing-four-months-out-a7451816.html |access-date=27 September 2018 |newspaper=The Independent |archive-date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128162730/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/bale-facing-four-months-out-a7451816.html |url-status=live}} On 23 April, Bale made his 100th appearance in La Liga in a 3–2 home defeat to Barcelona, but was forced off after sustaining an injury.{{Cite web |date=23 April 2017 |title=Leo Messi revives La Liga title race with dramatic Clasico win over Real Madrid |url=http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/3110956/leo-messi-revives-la-liga-title-race-with-dramatic-clasico-win-over-real-madrid |access-date=24 April 2017 |website=ESPN FC |archive-date=24 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424013923/http://www.espnfc.com/spanish-primera-division/story/3110956/leo-messi-revives-la-liga-title-race-with-dramatic-clasico-win-over-real-madrid |url-status=live}}

Despite suffering several injuries during the season, he managed to feature 19 times for Madrid as they won their 33rd La Liga title.{{Cite web |date=21 May 2017 |title=El Real Madrid, campeón de LaLiga Santander 2016/17 |url=http://www.laliga.es/noticias/real-madrid-campeon-de-laliga-santander-2016-17 |access-date=27 September 2018 |publisher=Liga de Fútbol Profesional |archive-date=12 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712180825/http://www.laliga.es/noticias/real-madrid-campeon-de-laliga-santander-2016-17 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=21 May 2017 |title=Real Madrid win La Liga title with victory at Malaga |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39926301 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226192537/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39926301 |url-status=live}} After missing more than a month, he returned to action for the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final in his hometown, Cardiff, which Real Madrid won 4–1 over Juventus; Bale made a late second-half substitute appearance, coming on for Benzema.{{Cite web |date=3 June 2017 |title=Majestic Real Madrid win Champions League in Cardiff |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0250-0c5117c008df-de0901ea6dae-1000--majestic-real-madrid-win-champions-league-in-cardiff/ |access-date=27 September 2018 |publisher=UEFA |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331042605/https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2017/matches/round=2000787/match=2019641/postmatch/report/index.html |url-status=live}}

The 2017–18 season saw some improvement in Bale's goalscoring record across the league, cup competitions and in the Champions League. He featured in Real Madrid's victories in both the 2017 UEFA Super Cup{{Cite web |title=Real Madrid CF – Squad |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/match/2022539--real-madrid-vs-man-utd/lineups/ |access-date=8 August 2017 |publisher=UEFA |archive-date=24 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824023830/https://www.uefa.com/uefasupercup/match/2022539--real-madrid-vs-man-united/lineups/?referrer=%2fuefasupercup%2fseason%3d2017%2fmatches%2fround%3d2000896%2fmatch%3d2022539%2flineups%2findex |url-status=live}} and the 2017 Supercopa de España,{{Cite news |date=17 August 2017 |title=Real Madrid 2–0 Barcelona (5–1 agg): Spanish Super Cup success for Zidane's side |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40953169 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106082223/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40953169 |url-status=live}} and he also featured in the club's victorious 2017 FIFA Club World Cup campaign, winning a third trophy before 2018 had even begun.{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Arch |date=16 December 2017 |title=Cristiano Ronaldo with the world at his feet |work=Marca |location=Spain |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/12/16/5a356078ca474178228b45d5.html |access-date=25 May 2020 |archive-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525192649/https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2017/12/16/5a356078ca474178228b45d5.html |url-status=live}} In La Liga, he made 26 appearances and scored 16 goals but Real Madrid were unable to reclaim the title, finishing in third.{{Cite news |date=19 May 2018 |title=Villarreal 2–2 Real Madrid |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44184314 |access-date=28 September 2018 |archive-date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128030147/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44184314 |url-status=live}}

The 2017–18 UEFA Champions League saw Bale scoring once prior to the final. This goal came from the match against Borussia Dortmund in the group stages, when he opened the scoring in a 3–1 victory in Germany.{{Cite news |date=26 September 2017 |title=Borussia Dortmund 1–3 Real Madrid |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41378856 |access-date=28 September 2018 |archive-date=5 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705115905/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41378856 |url-status=live}} In the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final, Bale scored two goals, the first an overhead kick from the edge of the 18-yard box – regarded as one of the greatest goals in Champions League history – before a speculative 40-yard strike that went through the hands of goalkeeper Loris Karius, resulting in a 3–1 victory over Liverpool, to help Real Madrid win their thirteenth Champions League trophy.{{Cite news |last=Gonzalez |first=Roger |date=26 May 2018 |title=Real Madrid vs. Liverpool F.C.: Gareth Bale scored one of the greatest goals in Champions League history in the final |work=CBS Sports |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/real-madrid-vs-liverpool-gareth-bale-scored-one-of-the-greatest-goals-in-champions-league-history-in-the-final/ |access-date=26 May 2018}} He became the first substitute to score twice in a Champions League final and was named man of the match.{{Cite news |date=26 May 2018 |title=Bale named Champions League final man of the match |publisher=UEFA |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0245-0e98d712edd3-f4ada341e4c7-1000--bale-named-champions-league-final-man-of-the-match/ |access-date=26 May 2018 |archive-date=27 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627235900/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2560089.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=26 May 2018 |title=Real Madrid v Liverpool – Story of the match |work=BT Sport |agency=Press Association |url=http://sport.bt.com/football/real-madrid-v-liverpool-story-of-the-match-S11364274507341 |access-date=26 May 2018 |archive-date=29 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729155307/http://sport.bt.com/football/real-madrid-v-liverpool-story-of-the-match-S11364274507341 |url-status=live}}

File:Icc-26 30004775378 o (50121545717).jpg goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny during a pre-season match in 2018]]

Following the break-up of the BBC trifecta with Ronaldo's transfer to Juventus and the replacement of Zidane by new manager Julen Lopetegui,{{Cite news |last=Dunne |first=Robbie |date=4 September 2018 |title=Luka Modric and Gareth Bale lead for Real Madrid; Keylor Navas still key |publisher=ESPN |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/real-madrid/86/blog/post/3623369/luka-modric-and-gareth-bale-lead-for-real-madrid-keylor-navas-still-key |access-date=13 September 2018 |archive-date=8 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108101901/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/real-madrid/86/blog/post/3623369/luka-modric-and-gareth-bale-lead-for-real-madrid-keylor-navas-still-key |url-status=live}} Bale was ever-present during August 2018 and was awarded Cinco Estrellas Mahou for the Real Madrid Player of the Month, scoring against Getafe and Girona along the way.{{Cite news |date=13 September 2018 |title=Bale voted Real Madrid's best player of August |work=Diario AS |agency=Agencia EFE |url=https://en.as.com/en/2018/09/13/football/1536848631_002661.html |access-date=13 September 2018 |archive-date=14 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914144158/https://en.as.com/en/2018/09/13/football/1536848631_002661.html |url-status=dead}}

On 19 December 2018, Bale scored a hat-trick in a 3–1 win over Kashima Antlers in the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup.{{Cite news |title=Kashima Antlers 1–3 Real Madrid |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46585744 |access-date=31 December 2018 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411205920/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46585744 |url-status=live}} He became the third player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA Club World Cup match after Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suárez.{{Cite news |title=Bale becomes the third player to score a hat-trick after Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suárez in the FIFA Club World Cup and third player to score in three editions of the FIFA Club World Cup after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi |work=timesnownews.com |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/article/gareth-bale-equals-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-at-club-world-cup-with-hat-trick-against-kashmina-antlers/333938 |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-date=13 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113003852/https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/sports/football/article/gareth-bale-equals-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-at-club-world-cup-with-hat-trick-against-kashmina-antlers/333938 |url-status=live}} He also became the third player to score in three editions of the competition after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.{{Cite news |title=Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo record equalled by Gareth Bale with Club World Cup hat-trick |work=timesnownews.com |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/article/gareth-bale-equals-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-at-club-world-cup-with-hat-trick-against-kashmina-antlers/333938 |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-date=13 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113003852/https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/sports/football/article/gareth-bale-equals-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-at-club-world-cup-with-hat-trick-against-kashmina-antlers/333938 |url-status=live}} He was awarded the Golden Ball{{Cite news |title=Gareth Bale named FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball winner |work=Marca |location=Spain |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2018/12/22/5c1e86dbca47417a3e8b4613.html |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-date=23 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223151925/https://amp.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2018/12/22/5c1e86dbca47417a3e8b4613.html |url-status=live}} after Real Madrid won the competition by beating Al Ain FC 4–1 in the final.{{Cite news |title=Real Madrid lift the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup by beating Al Ain 4–1 |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46651517 |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525224922/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46651517 |url-status=live}}

On 9 February 2019, Bale scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid after scoring the team's third goal as a substitute in a 3–1 away win over cross-city rivals Atlético Madrid;{{Cite news |date=9 February 2019 |title=Bale scores his 100th goal for Real Madrid as they beat Atlético Madrid 3–1 in the derby |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47178397 |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-date=27 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427003037/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47178397 |url-status=live}} however, he was also the source of controversy in the media following the match, due to the "provocative" goal celebration that he made towards the opposition fans.{{Cite news |last=Rathborn |first=Jack |date=14 February 2019 |title=Gareth Bale: Real Madrid star could face 12-game ban for 'provocative' celebration in derby vs Atletico |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/gareth-bale-la-liga-spanish-fa-real-madrid-atletico-ban-suspension-games-a8779151.html |access-date=19 February 2019 |archive-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228234224/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/gareth-bale-la-liga-spanish-fa-real-madrid-atletico-ban-suspension-games-a8779151.html |url-status=live}}

In July 2019, he was close to leaving the club, according to manager Zinedine Zidane,{{Cite web |date=22 July 2019 |title=Gareth Bale: Real Madrid forward 'very close' to exit – Zinedine Zidane |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49061557 |access-date=16 November 2019 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=5 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905165945/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49061557 |url-status=live}} but later that month a proposed transfer to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning was called off by Real Madrid.{{Cite web |last=Ornstein |first=David |date=28 July 2019 |title=Gareth Bale: Real Madrid call off Wales forward's China move |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49144872 |access-date=16 November 2019 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=5 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905113658/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49144872 |url-status=live}} In October 2019, Bale was said to be "angry" at Real Madrid and wanted to leave,{{Cite web |date=8 October 2019 |title=Gareth Bale: Real Madrid forward 'angry' and wants to leave – Guillem Balague |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49953230 |access-date=16 November 2019 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=31 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031000526/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49953230 |url-status=live}} but later that month Zidane said Bale had never asked to leave.{{Cite web |date=29 October 2019 |title=Gareth Bale has never asked to leave Real Madrid, says boss Zinedine Zidane |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50226313 |access-date=16 November 2019 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105045619/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50226313 |url-status=live}} Ex-Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón also said that Bale should return to Tottenham Hotspur.{{Cite web |date=21 November 2019 |title=Gareth Bale should rejoin Tottenham Hotspur, says ex-Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50509811 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=22 November 2019 |archive-date=22 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122134503/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50509811 |url-status=live}} He made 16 appearances during the league season, as Real Madrid won the 2019–20 La Liga.{{Cite web |date=17 July 2020 |title=Real Madrid win the longest LaLiga Santander season |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2020/07/17/5f10db2146163f3c2c8b45d7.html |access-date=17 July 2020 |website=Marca |location=Spain |archive-date=18 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718165201/https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2020/07/17/5f10db2146163f3c2c8b45d7.html |url-status=live}}

On 19 September 2020, Bale returned to Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan.{{Cite web |date=19 September 2020 |title=Gareth Bale: Tottenham re-sign Real Madrid forward on loan |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54180724 |access-date=19 September 2020 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919202302/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54180724 |url-status=live}} He came off the bench to score the winner in Tottenham's 2–1 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion on 1 November, his first goal since returning to the club.{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Neil |date=1 November 2020 |title=Tottenham 2–1 Brighton & Hove Albion |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54679345 |access-date=7 March 2021 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127185731/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54679345 |url-status=live}} On 3 December, Bale scored his 200th career goal in a 3–3 draw against LASK in the Europa League.{{Cite web |date=3 December 2020 |title=Gareth Bale scores his 200th career goal |url=https://en.as.com/en/2020/12/03/football/1607025418_943060.html?omnil=resrelrecom |access-date=7 March 2021 |website=as.com |archive-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301084433/https://en.as.com/en/2020/12/03/football/1607025418_943060.html?omnil=resrelrecom |url-status=dead}} He scored a brace and got an assist in a 4–0 win over Burnley on 28 February 2021.{{Cite web |last=Emons |first=Michael |date=28 February 2021 |title=Tottenham 4–0 Burnley |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56143442 |access-date=7 March 2021 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=4 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304120248/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56143442 |url-status=live}} Bale once again scored twice in Tottenham's 4–1 victory against Crystal Palace on 7 March, bringing his tally to six goals in six games.{{Cite news |last=Brand |first=Gerard |date=7 March 2021 |title=Kane and Bale doubles ease Spurs past Palace |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/12239263/tottenham-4-1-crystal-palace-harry-kane-and-gareth-bale-score-doubles-in-stylish-spurs-victory |access-date=7 March 2021 |archive-date=18 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318181733/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/12239263/tottenham-4-1-crystal-palace-harry-kane-and-gareth-bale-score-doubles-in-stylish-spurs-victory |url-status=live}} On 2 May, Bale scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 win against Sheffield United. The hat-trick was only his second in the Premier League and his first since his return to Tottenham.{{Cite news |last=Sanders |first=Emma |date=2 May 2021 |title=Tottenham Hotspur 4–0 Sheffield United |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56876295 |access-date=28 May 2021 |archive-date=20 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520221743/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56876295 |url-status=live}} On 23 May 2021, Bale came off the bench to score two goals against Leicester City in a 4–2 away victory which led Tottenham to a 7th-place finish, ensuring qualification to the Europa Conference League.{{Cite news |last=Dawkes |first=Phil |date=23 May 2021 |title=Leicester City 2–4 Tottenham Hotspur |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57132108 |access-date=13 June 2021 |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129141053/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57132108 |url-status=live}}

File:Ofrenda de la Liga y la Champions-24-L.Millán (52109789805).jpg after winning the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League]]

Bale returned to Real Madrid for the 2021–22 season.{{cite web |last1=Livie |first1=Alex |date=7 July 2021 |title=Nuno Espirito Santo confirms Gareth Bale will not return to Tottenham on loan from Real Madrid in new season |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2020-2021/nuno-espirito-santo-confirms-gareth-bale-will-not-return-to-tottenham-on-loan-from-real-madrid-in-ne_sto8422495/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=10 January 2023 |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220002155/https://www.eurosport.com/geoblocking.shtml |url-status=live}} His appearances during the season were severely limited.{{Cite web |last=Feehely |first=Alan |date=25 March 2022 |title=Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale launches stinging rebuke at Marca for labelling him a parasite |url=https://www.football-espana.net/2022/03/25/real-madrid-forward-gareth-bale-launches-stinging-rebuke-at-marca-for-labelling-him-a-parasite |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=Football Espana |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220002212/https://www.football-espana.net/2022/03/25/real-madrid-forward-gareth-bale-launches-stinging-rebuke-at-marca-for-labelling-him-a-parasite |url-status=live}} Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, confirmed in May 2022 that Bale would leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.{{Cite web |last=Husband |first=Ben |date=16 May 2022 |title=Gareth Bale's agent confirms he is leaving Real Madrid and drops retirement hint |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/gareth-bale-real-madrid-retirement-26981366 |access-date=21 May 2022 |website=The Mirror |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220002254/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/gareth-bale-real-madrid-retirement-26981366 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=1 June 2022 |title=Official Announcement: Bale |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2022/06/01/official-announcement-bale |publisher=Real Madrid CF |access-date=1 June 2022 |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220002321/https://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2022/06/01/official-announcement-bale |url-status=live}} On 1 June, Bale himself published an open letter on Twitter confirming his exit.{{Cite web |last=Keighley |first=Freddie |date=1 June 2022 |title=Gareth Bale confirms Real Madrid exit in emotional open letter after being frozen out |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/breaking-gareth-bale-real-madrid-27119488 |access-date=1 June 2022 |website=Daily Mirror |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220002339/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/breaking-gareth-bale-real-madrid-27119488 |url-status=live}}

On 27 June 2022, Major League Soccer team Los Angeles FC announced that they had signed Bale to a 12-month contract using Targeted Allocation Money.{{Cite web |date=25 June 2022 |title=Gareth Bale agrees shock transfer to MLS side LAFC on free transfer following Real Madrid exit |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/transfers/2022-2023/gareth-bale-agrees-shock-transfer-to-mls-side-lafc-on-free-transfer-following-real-madrid-exit_sto9005868/story.shtml |access-date=27 June 2022 |website=Eurosport |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627194702/https://www.eurosport.com/football/transfers/2022-2023/gareth-bale-agrees-shock-transfer-to-mls-side-lafc-on-free-transfer-following-real-madrid-exit_sto9005868/story.shtml |url-status=live}} He made his debut on 17 July as a 72nd-minute substitute in a 2–1 win at Nashville SC.{{Cite web |date=17 July 2022 |title=Gareth Bale: Wales forward produces stylish first touch on LAFC debut |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62202874 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=BBC Sport |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220002436/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62202874 |url-status=live}} In his next appearance, on 23 July, he came on as a 65th-minute substitute against Sporting Kansas City, scoring his first goal for the club in a 2–0 victory.{{Cite web |date=23 July 2022 |title=Recap: LAFC 2–0 Sporting Kansas City 7/23/22 |url=https://www.lafc.com/news/recap-lafc-2-0-sporting-kansas-city-7-23-22 |access-date=24 July 2022 |publisher=LAFC |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220002503/https://www.lafc.com/news/recap-lafc-2-0-sporting-kansas-city-7-23-22 |url-status=live}} Bale made 12 total appearances in the regular season for LAFC, starting two matches, but remained mostly unused as the club won the Supporters' Shield.{{Cite news |date=21 October 2022 |title=Gareth Bale: Fitness concern for Wales skipper one month before World Cup |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63328436 |access-date=5 November 2022 |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129141053/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63328436 |url-status=live}} He made his only playoff appearance in the championship match as a substitute, where his header in the 128th minute tied the match at 3–3 and sent it to a penalty shootout. His goal was the latest goal in MLS history.{{Cite web |date=5 November 2022 |title=Gareth Bale after helping LAFC win MLS Cup: I seem to have a knack for scoring in finals |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4792890/gareth-bale-after-helping-lafc-win-mls-cup-i-seem-to-have-a-knack-for-scoring-in-finals |access-date=5 November 2022 |publisher=ESPN |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220002527/https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4792890/gareth-bale-after-helping-lafc-win-mls-cup-i-seem-to-have-a-knack-for-scoring-in-finals |url-status=live}} LAFC won the shootout and their first MLS Cup title.{{Cite news |last=Baxter |first=Kevin |date=5 November 2022 |title=LAFC defeats Philadelphia on penalty kicks to win MLS Cup title in thriller |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2022-11-05/lafc-defeats-philadelphia-penalty-kicks-mls-title |access-date=5 November 2022 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219094040/https://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/story/2022-11-05/lafc-defeats-philadelphia-penalty-kicks-mls-title |url-status=live}}

On 9 January 2023, following the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Bale announced his retirement from professional football.{{Cite news |title=Wales captain Bale retires from football aged 33 |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64214855 |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109152105/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64214855 |url-status=live}}

File:Gareth Bale playing for Wales vs Austria 01.jpg in October 2016]]

Bale was selected by Wales at the end of the 2005–06 season for a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on 27 May 2006.{{Cite news |date=28 May 2006 |title=Bale savours record Wales debut |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5024788.stm |access-date=21 January 2007 |archive-date=19 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070119212409/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5024788.stm |url-status=live}} In the match in Graz, Austria, he replaced David Vaughan after 55 minutes and assisted Robert Earnshaw's winning goal in a 2–1 victory.{{Cite news |date=27 May 2006 |title=Wales 2–1 Trinidad & Tobago |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5004566.stm |access-date=14 January 2016 |archive-date=10 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310193947/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5004566.stm |url-status=live}} At 16 years and 315 days old, Bale became the youngest player to play for Wales, breaking a record held by Lewin Nyatanga who set that three months earlier; this record was itself superseded by Harry Wilson in October 2013.{{Cite news |date=10 December 2007 |title=Injured Bale out for three months |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7137122.stm |access-date=21 October 2010 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221538/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/7137122.stm |url-status=live}}

Wales youth guru Brian Flynn commented that Bale was potentially a future star of the game, comparing his technical ability to that of Ryan Giggs.{{Cite web |date=18 January 2007 |title=The £10 million man |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/the-10-million-man-2282118 |access-date=7 March 2016 |website=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308051200/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/the-10-million-man-2282118 |url-status=live}} On 7 October 2006, Bale became the youngest ever goalscorer for the senior national team, scoring a free kick in a Euro 2008 qualification match against Slovakia.{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Sean |date=7 October 2006 |title=Wales 1–5 Slovakia |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5361822.stm |access-date=21 January 2007 |archive-date=27 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061127055028/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5361822.stm |url-status=live}} After a long injury lay-off, he returned and started in the World Cup qualifier against Finland on 10 October 2009.{{Cite news |date=10 October 2009 |title=Wales whimper in Helsinki |work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_2939006,00.html |access-date=11 April 2011 |archive-date=13 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213083251/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_2939006,00.html |url-status=live}} On 14 October, he played a part in Wales' final World Cup qualifier by setting up David Vaughan to score the opening goal against Liechtenstein and won the free kick that led to the second, Aaron Ramsey's first at senior level.{{Cite news |date=14 October 2009 |title=Liechtenstein 0–2 Wales |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8305789.stm |access-date=11 April 2011 |archive-date=28 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028221546/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8305789.stm |url-status=live}}

In December 2010, Bale was awarded the BBC Cymru Sports Personality of the Year trophy.{{Cite news |date=6 December 2010 |title=Gareth Bale wins BBC Wales Sports Personality award |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/9261532.stm |access-date=13 October 2012 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235124/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/wales/9261532.stm |url-status=live}} On 12 October 2012, Bale scored both goals for Wales in a 2–1 victory over Scotland in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.{{Cite news |last=Pope |first=Bruce |date=12 October 2012 |title=World Cup qualifying: Wales 2–1 Scotland |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/19862443 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928024851/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/19862443 |url-status=live}} He won his 100th Wales Cap during a World Cup Qualifying Match on 13 November 2021 against Belarus at the Cardiff City Stadium where he played 45 minutes being substituted at half time.{{Cite web |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=12 November 2021 |title=Gareth Bale: Wales captain says prospect of 100 caps is 'incredible' |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59261705 |access-date=16 November 2021 |website=BBC Sport Wales |archive-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116151049/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59261705 |url-status=live}}

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = vertical

| header =

| width = 230

| image1 = Ashley Williams, Gareth Bale.jpg

| width1 =

| alt1 =

| caption1 = Bale with Ashley Williams (left) at the July 2016 homecoming event in Cardiff. With thousands of supporters observing, Bale described the event as "very special" in a BBC interview.{{Cite news |date=8 July 2016 |title=Euro 2016: Wales homecoming 'very special', says Gareth Bale |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36751128 |access-date=2 March 2018 |archive-date=27 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180427215745/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36751128 |url-status=live}}

| image2 =

| width2 =

| alt2 =

| caption2 = Bale mural in Whitchurch, Cardiff in 2016

}}

On 9 September 2014, Bale scored two goals, one with a header and another with a free kick, as Wales beat Andorra 2–1 in their first match of the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=9 September 2014 |title=Andorra 1–2 Wales |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/29025388 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=9 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809051940/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/29025388 |url-status=live}} In doing so, he became Wales' joint 10th all-time top-scorer with 14 goals, alongside John Hartson.{{Cite news |date=10 September 2014 |title="Worst pitch I've played on" says Bale |work=ITV News |url=http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2014-09-10/worst-pitch-ive-played-on-says-bale/ |access-date=10 September 2014 |archive-date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116024057/https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2014-09-10/worst-pitch-ive-played-on-says-bale/ |url-status=live}} Bale scored two goals on 28 March 2015, in a 3–0 win away in Israel.{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=28 March 2015 |title=Israel 0–3 Wales |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/31997087 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409091302/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/31997087 |url-status=live}} On 12 June, his 50th cap, he scored the only goal to defeat Belgium in a home qualifier, taking Wales above the Belgians to the top of Group B.{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=12 June 2015 |title=Wales 1–0 Belgium |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/33017520 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=4 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104195733/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/33017520 |url-status=live}} He headed Jazz Richards' cross on 3 September in a 1–0 away win over Cyprus, putting Wales three points away from qualification.{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=3 September 2015 |title=Cyprus 0–1 Wales |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/34063010 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=5 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005120529/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/34063010 |url-status=live}} With qualification to UEFA Euro 2016 achieved (the country's first major finals since the 1958 FIFA World Cup), on 13 October 2015, Bale scored his seventh goal of the qualifying campaign in Wales' final qualifier against Andorra at the Cardiff City Stadium.{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=13 October 2015 |title=Euro 2016 qualifying: Wales 2–0 Andorra |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/33544105 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917205435/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/33544105 |url-status=live}}

On 11 June, Bale scored the first goal in Wales' clash with Slovakia in their opening game of UEFA Euro 2016 from a free kick, helping his country secure a 2–1 win and, in the process, lead them to their first win in a tournament in 58 years.{{Cite news |last=Voakes |first=Kris |date=11 June 2016 |title=Kanu Believe It? Wales & Bale make history after 58 years of pain |work=Goal |url=http://www.goal.com/euro2016/en/article/kanu-believe-it-wales--bale-make-history-after-58-year-wait/1f4s4lrntm86a16n2rf4dfdg0i |access-date=11 June 2016 |archive-date=18 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918111724/https://www.goal.com/en/news/kanu-believe-it-wales--bale-make-history-after-58-year-wait/1f4s4lrntm86a16n2rf4dfdg0i/ |url-status=live}} His goal saw him become the first Welsh player to score at a major international tournament since Terry Medwin's goal against Hungary at the 1958 FIFA World Cup.{{Cite news |last=Penman |first=Andrew |date=11 June 2016 |title=Euro 2016: Wales 2 Slovakia 1 |work=South Wales Argus |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14551725.display/ |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928003336/https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/14551725.display/ |url-status=live}} He then followed this up by scoring another opening free kick goal against England in the second group game, though Wales went on to lose the game 2–1; this made Bale the first player to score two free kicks at a European Championship since Germany's Thomas Häßler in 1992.{{Cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=16 June 2016 |title=England 2–1 Wales |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36486410 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623095055/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36486410 |url-status=live}} Bale scored his third goal of the tournament in a 3–0 win over Russia, making him their all-time top scorer in major tournaments, ahead of Ivor Allchurch who scored twice in the 1958 World Cup; he also helped to create the second goal of the match, which was scored by Neil Taylor.{{Cite news |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=20 June 2016 |title=Gareth Bale clocks on and clicks into gear to lead Wales' charge against Russia |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/jun/20/gareth-bale-clocks-on-wales-charge-russia-euro-2016 |access-date=11 July 2016 |archive-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122212702/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/jun/20/gareth-bale-clocks-on-wales-charge-russia-euro-2016 |url-status=live}} In the last 16 against Northern Ireland at the Parc des Princes, Bale sent in the cross from which Gareth McAuley scored an own goal to give the Welsh victory.{{Cite news |last=Long |first=Sam |date=25 June 2016 |title=Wales beat Northern Ireland to reach Euro 2016 quarter-finals as Gareth Bale forces Gareth McAuley own goal |work=London Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/euro2016/wales-northern-ireland-euro-2016-result-gareth-bale-forces-gareth-mcauley-own-goal-to-reach-quarter-a3280926.html |access-date=26 June 2016 |archive-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428144212/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/euro2016/wales-northern-ireland-euro-2016-result-gareth-bale-forces-gareth-mcauley-own-goal-to-reach-quarter-a3280926.html |url-status=live}} After deleting Belgium in the quarter-final,

Wales were eliminated following a 2–0 defeat to eventual champions Portugal in the semi-final.{{Cite news |date=6 July 2016 |title=Euro 2016: Gareth Bale & Joe Allen react to Wales's semi-final defeat |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36731837 |access-date=11 July 2016 |archive-date=7 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032347/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36731837 |url-status=live}}

On 5 September 2016, Bale scored twice in a 4–0 win over Moldova in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification game. This brought him to 24 international goals, surpassing both Ivor Allchurch and Trevor Ford, and behind only Ian Rush's 28.{{Cite news |last=James |first=Stuart |date=5 September 2016 |title=Gareth Bale will break Ian Rush's Wales record this campaign, says Coleman |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/05/wales-gareth-bale-chris-coleman-goalscoring-record-football |access-date=9 September 2016 |archive-date=14 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714130417/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/sep/05/wales-gareth-bale-chris-coleman-goalscoring-record-football |url-status=live}} On 22 March 2018, with 29 goals, Bale became Wales' all-time top-scorer surpassing Ian Rush's 28, thanks to his first hat-trick in his international career in a 2018 China Cup match against China.{{Cite news |date=22 March 2018 |title=China 0–6 Wales: Gareth Bale breaks scoring record in Ryan Giggs' first match as manager |work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11299794/china-0-6-wales-gareth-bale-breaks-scoring-record-in-ryan-giggs-first-match-as-manager |access-date=22 March 2018 |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831091424/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11299794/china-0-6-wales-gareth-bale-breaks-scoring-record-in-ryan-giggs-first-match-as-manager |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=22 March 2018 |title=Gareth Bale says becoming Wales' record scorer is career highlight |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43501828 |access-date=31 July 2018 |archive-date=17 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917205513/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43501828 |url-status=live}}

In May 2021, he was selected as captain of the Wales squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.{{Cite news |title=Uncapped Colwill in Wales Euro 2020 squad |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57301006 |access-date=16 June 2021 |archive-date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530191812/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57301006 |url-status=live}} At the finals, he provided the assists for Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts's goals in Wales's second group match on 16 June, a 2–0 win over Turkey;{{Cite news |date=16 June 2021 |title=Wales beat Turkey thanks to two Bale assists |work=MARCA |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/uefa-euro/2021/06/16/60ca3c92e2704eb9268b45fc.html |access-date=3 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182735/https://www.marca.com/en/football/uefa-euro/2021/06/16/60ca3c92e2704eb9268b45fc.html |url-status=live}} he helped his country qualify for the round of 16, in which they were beaten 4–0 by Denmark.[https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51197369 Wales 0–4 Denmark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626192659/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51197369 |date=26 June 2021 }} – BBC Sport, 26 June 2021

File:U.S.-Wales Men’s World Cup Match in Doha, Qatar. (52515992328).jpg from the penalty spot.]]

On 24 March 2022, Bale scored two goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff semi-finals in a 2–1 win against Austria which sent Wales to the playoff final.{{Cite web |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=24 March 2022 |title=Gareth Bale: Maligned Real Madrid star proves Wales' saviour again |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60868895 |access-date=25 March 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325001029/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60868895 |url-status=live}} In the playoff final against Ukraine on 5 June, delayed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine earlier in the year, Bale's free-kick was deflected into the net by Ukraine captain Andriy Yarmolenko, giving Wales the lone goal in a 1–0 victory. Initially credited as an own goal for Yarmolenko, the decisive goal was subsequently awarded to Bale at the end of June.{{Cite web |date=29 June 2022 |title=Gareth Bale awarded goal that sent Wales to World Cup following review |url=https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2022-06-29/gareth-bale-awarded-goal-that-sent-wales-to-world-cup-following-review |website=ITV News |access-date=14 July 2022 |archive-date=28 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728214444/https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2022-06-29/gareth-bale-awarded-goal-that-sent-wales-to-world-cup-following-review |url-status=live}} Wales qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1958. Bale called it "the greatest result in history for Welsh football," and further that it "means everything. It's what dreams are made of."{{Cite web |date=5 June 2022 |title=World Cup qualification 'greatest result' in Welsh football history, says Gareth Bale |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61698201 |access-date=5 June 2022 |publisher=BBC Sport |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605185047/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61698201 |url-status=live}} Bale, as captain led the Welsh team in singing along to the unofficial anthem of the team, "{{lang|cy|Yma o Hyd}}," which was performed live by Dafydd Iwan after the final whistle.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Glen |date=5 June 2022 |title=Gareth Bale leads brilliant rendition of Yma o Hyd after Wales beat Ukraine |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-bale-leads-incredible-rendition-24151855 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=WalesOnline |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605193604/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-bale-leads-incredible-rendition-24151855 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Mitchelmore |first=Ian |date=28 March 2022 |title=The player behind Dafydd Iwan's iconic Yma o Hyd rendition revealed |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/player-behind-dafydd-iwans-iconic-23522259 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=WalesOnline |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605232041/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/player-behind-dafydd-iwans-iconic-23522259 |url-status=live}} After the match, The Guardian opined on the occasion that "what can be said now is that nobody has ever achieved more in a Wales shirt."{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Jonathan |date=5 June 2022 |title=Bale eclipses Charles, Giggs and Rush as highest achiever in a Wales shirt |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/jun/05/gareth-bale-cements-place-as-the-highest-achiever-in-wales-shirt |access-date=5 June 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605185152/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/jun/05/gareth-bale-cements-place-as-the-highest-achiever-in-wales-shirt |url-status=live}}

In November 2022, Bale was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.{{Cite web |date=9 November 2022 |title=World Cup 2022: The 26 Wales players carrying a nation's hopes |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63545011 |access-date=21 November 2022 |website=BBC News |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123000714/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63545011 |url-status=live}} In the team's opening group stage game against the United States, Bale was awarded a penalty kick after being fouled in the box with Wales 1–0 down and converted to equalise the game. This was the first goal scored by Wales in a World Cup since 1958, and earned Bale's side a draw.{{Cite web |last=Church |first=Ben |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gareth Bale saves Wales to frustrate USMNT at Qatar 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/21/football/usmnt-wales-timothy-weah-gareth-bale-world-cup-2022-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=21 November 2022 |website=CNN |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121215551/https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/21/football/usmnt-wales-timothy-weah-gareth-bale-world-cup-2022-spt-intl/index.html |url-status=live}} This proved to be Wales's only point and goal of the tournament as they finished last in Group B and were eliminated in the first round.{{Cite news |last=Pathak |first=Manasi |date=29 November 2022 |title='Golden Generation' disappoint as Welsh dragon fails to roar at World Cup |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/golden-generation-disappoint-welsh-dragon-fails-roar-world-cup-2022-11-29/ |access-date=18 December 2022 |archive-date=18 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218035008/https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/golden-generation-disappoint-welsh-dragon-fails-roar-world-cup-2022-11-29/ |url-status=live}} Bale's final appearance as a professional footballer was Wales' final group game, a 3–0 loss to England.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63603442 |title=Wales 0–3 England |work=BBC Sport |date=29 November 2022 |access-date=22 March 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307161656/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63603442 |url-status=live}}

Bale, who met the age criteria to play in the 2012 London Olympics, said in May 2011 "I want to play in the Olympics" for the Great Britain Olympic football team, in defiance of the FAW.{{Cite news |last=Draper |first=Rob |date=30 June 2012 |title=London 2012: Gareth Bale to miss Olympics with injury |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/18657042 |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128043529/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/18657042 |url-status=live}} On 28 October 2011, Bale became the first player to be photographed modelling the British 2012 London Olympics football supporters' shirt. In response, FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: "Our position remains unchanged. We are not for Team GB. Gareth can make his own choices and make his own decisions. But we are not going to stop anyone playing." On behalf of Bale, a spokesman said "while he is 100% Welsh, he is also British".{{Cite news |last=Pearce |first=James |date=28 October 2011 |title=London 2012: Gareth Bale wears Olympic football shirt |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/15494228.stm |access-date=29 October 2011 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212235210/https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/15494228 |url-status=live}}

At the end of June 2012, Bale pulled out of the tournament with a back injury. On 29 June, he advised the Team GB football manager, Stuart Pearce, that he would not be available for selection as he had aggravated an old back and hip injury during a training run. In view of the short recovery time between the end of the Olympics and the start of the Premier League season, Bale had decided to withdraw rather than exacerbate the problem.{{Cite news |last=Kelso |first=Paul |date=29 June 2012 |title=London 2012 Olympics: Gareth Bale pulls out of Stuart Pearce's Great Britain squad with injury |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/Team-GB/9366098/London-2012-Olympics-Gareth-Bale-pulls-out-of-Stuart-Pearces-Great-Britain-squad-with-injury.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/Team-GB/9366098/London-2012-Olympics-Gareth-Bale-pulls-out-of-Stuart-Pearces-Great-Britain-squad-with-injury.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news |date=30 June 2012 |title=London 2012: Gareth Bale ruled out of Team GB action, say reports |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jun/30/london-2012-gareth-bale-team-gb |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902013734/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jun/30/london-2012-gareth-bale-team-gb |url-status=live}} Bale recovered from his injury in good time to be included on Spurs' pre-season tour of the United States, scoring against LA Galaxy on 24 July{{Cite news |date=25 July 2012 |title=Olympic absentee Gareth Bale scores for Spurs in friendly |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18980500 |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830120122/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18980500 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=25 July 2012 |title=LA Galaxy 1–1 Spurs: All Square in LA |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/la-galaxy-vs-spurs-24072012.page? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728055741/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/la-galaxy-vs-spurs-24072012.page |archive-date=28 July 2012 |access-date=23 August 2012 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}} and against New York Red Bulls a week later.{{Cite web |date=31 July 2012 |title=Red Bulls 1–2 Spurs: Gylfi Strikes Goal-D in New York! |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/ny-red-bulls-vs-spurs-31072012.page? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804041554/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/ny-red-bulls-vs-spurs-31072012.page |archive-date=4 August 2012 |access-date=23 August 2012 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}} Between these matches, Bale also played against Liverpool when he was injured in a tackle by Charlie Adam.{{Cite news |date=30 July 2012 |title=Gareth Bale calls Charlie Adam a coward for bad tackle |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19044530 |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-date=28 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828040136/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19044530 |url-status=live}}

Bale's appearances in Spurs' pre-season tour coincided with Team GB's Olympic matches, where they drew with Senegal before victories over the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay took them through to the knockout stages, where they lost to South Korea following a penalty shoot-out. Bale's withdrawal from the Team GB squad attracted calls for sanctions against him including a ban from the rest of Spurs' pre-season tour{{Cite news |date=25 July 2012 |title=Gareth Bale faces Spurs ban during Olympics for making club return after withdrawing from Team GB squad |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/football/9426261/Gareth-Bale-faces-Spurs-ban-during-Olympics-for-making-club-return-after-withdrawing-from-Team-GB-squad.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/football/9426261/Gareth-Bale-faces-Spurs-ban-during-Olympics-for-making-club-return-after-withdrawing-from-Team-GB-squad.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} but, in the absence of an official complaint by Team GB, these were not carried out. Spurs' manager, André Villas-Boas, defended the player insisting that Bale "had recovered quicker than expected".{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=25 July 2012 |title=Andre Villas-Boas defiant as Gareth Bale plays for Spurs after Olympics snub |work=London Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/andre-villasboas-defiant-as-gareth-bale-plays-for-spurs-after-olympics-snub-7976091.html |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029110550/http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/andre-villasboas-defiant-as-gareth-bale-plays-for-spurs-after-olympics-snub-7976091.html |url-status=live}} The club's stance was supported by British Olympic Association chairman Lord Moynihan.{{Cite news |date=26 July 2012 |title=London 2012 absentee Gareth Bale 'should not be banned' |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18999274 |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-date=26 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826115340/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18999274 |url-status=live}}

Tottenham released a statement in relation to Bale's non-selection for Team GB, they stated that "Gareth sustained an injury as he built up his fitness ahead of joining up with Stuart Pearce's side. MRI scan reports were sent to the FA medical team on 29 June 2012. He was subsequently not selected on the basis of this injury and the inability to predict recovery time. This decision was not taken lightly and made only after consultation with Team GB's medical team, who were in agreement after seeing the medical reports."{{Cite web |date=26 July 2012 |title=Club Statement – Gareth Bale |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/club-statement-gareth-bale-26072012.page? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728202851/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/club-statement-gareth-bale-26072012.page |archive-date=28 July 2012 |access-date=26 July 2012 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}}

File:Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid - 28 September 2013 - Arda Turan and Gareth Bale.JPG" technique) in his prime.]]

At the beginning of his career, Bale played as a left-back.{{Cite web |date=28 July 2013 |title=Gareth Bale, l'uomo da 100 milioni di euro |trans-title=Gareth Bale, the 100 million Euro man |url=http://direttanews.gazzetta.it/Article/118696-Gareth-Bale-luomo-da-100-milioni-di-euro |access-date=24 May 2015 |language=it |newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport |archive-date=24 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524213540/http://direttanews.gazzetta.it/Article/118696-Gareth-Bale-luomo-da-100-milioni-di-euro |url-status=dead}} When Bale moved to Tottenham, his coach Harry Redknapp played him as a left winger, where he developed into a world-class player. He was predominantly known for his pace, acceleration, shooting and heading. His pace and acceleration allowed him to regularly get past defenders and make runs into space, where he was able to score or create goals.{{Cite news |last=Fleming |first=Mark |date=4 November 2010 |title=Strength, skill, stamina, speed. How do you stop Gareth Bale? |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/strength-skill-stamina-speed-how-do-you-stop-gareth-bale-2124475.html |access-date=11 May 2013 |archive-date=14 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214200957/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/strength-skill-stamina-speed-how-do-you-stop-gareth-bale-2124475.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Cartlidge |first=David |date=2 December 2016 |title=FourFourTwo's Best 100 Football Players in the World 2016: No.6 – Gareth Bale |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-best-100-football-players-world-2016-6-gareth-bale |access-date=4 January 2018 |website=FourFourTwo |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018101920/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-best-100-football-players-world-2016-6-gareth-bale |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Graham |date=7 November 2017 |title=Gareth Bale is the solution to, not the cause of, Real Madrid's struggles |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/spanish-primera-division/15/blog/post/3262273/gareth-bale-solution-to-not-cause-of-real-madrid-struggles-this-season |access-date=4 January 2018 |publisher=ESPN |archive-date=18 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018203717/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/spanish-primera-division/15/blog/post/3262273/gareth-bale-solution-to-not-cause-of-real-madrid-struggles-this-season |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Bull |first=J.J. |date=13 September 2017 |title=Isco is one of the world's best players on current form – what does it mean for Gareth Bale's Real Madrid career? |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/09/13/isco-one-worlds-best-players-current-form-does-mean-gareth/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=28 September 2019 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/09/13/isco-one-worlds-best-players-current-form-does-mean-gareth/ |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} Bale was a free-kick specialist and used the "knuckleball" technique (popularised by Juninho Pernambucano).{{Cite web |last=San Martín |first=Pedro P. |date=14 September 2013 |title=Set-piece dilemma: CR7 Tomahawk vs Bale Knuckleball |url=https://as.com/diarioas/2013/09/14/english/1379173980_744863.html |access-date=13 December 2018 |newspaper=Diario AS |archive-date=1 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201142301/https://as.com/diarioas/2013/09/14/english/1379173980_744863.html |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |last=Anka |first=Carl |date=12 December 2018 |title=Noughty Boys: No one hit a free-kick quite like Juninho Pernambucano |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/7ff3d21d-6ff3-480b-b22c-3b198bad381f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212134537/https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/7ff3d21d-6ff3-480b-b22c-3b198bad381f |archive-date=12 December 2018 |access-date=13 December 2018 |publisher=BBC}} In addition to his athletic and offensive capabilities, Bale was praised by the media for his defensive work-rate.{{Cite web |last=Balagué |first=Guillem |date=28 September 2017 |title=Gareth Bale will be back at his blistering best in no time |url=https://en.as.com/en/2017/09/28/opinion/1506617551_065864.html |access-date=4 January 2018 |newspaper=Diario AS |archive-date=5 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105012049/https://en.as.com/en/2017/09/28/opinion/1506617551_065864.html |url-status=live}}

As Bale developed into one of the most dangerous left wingers in the world, he was praised by managers, current players, and past players such as Luís Figo,{{Cite news |date=3 November 2010 |title=Gareth Bale kills Internazionale again in Champions League |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/03/gareth-bale-tottenham-hotspur-internazionale |access-date=3 November 2010 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902013741/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/03/gareth-bale-tottenham-hotspur-internazionale |url-status=live}} José Mourinho{{Cite web |date=7 March 2009 |title=Mourinho: Spurs fullback Bale better than Chelsea's Cole |url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/mourinho-spurs-fullback-bale-better-chelseas-cole-254674 |access-date=7 March 2009 |website=Tribalfootball |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407042655/https://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/mourinho-spurs-fullback-bale-better-chelseas-cole-254674 |url-status=live}} and Dani Alves.{{Cite news |date=17 April 2012 |title=Bale would be Barca's left-back – Alves |publisher=ESPN |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/146418.html |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928003352/http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/146418.html |url-status=live}} Bale has been described as a footballer with "tremendous speed, great crossing ability, a great left foot and exceptional physical qualities".{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=Gareth Bale – Tottenham Hotspur's Speed King |url=http://nastytackle.com/gareth-bale-tottenham-hotspurs-speed-king |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120213504/http://nastytackle.com/gareth-bale-tottenham-hotspurs-speed-king |archive-date=20 January 2016 |access-date=13 November 2012 |website=Nasty Tackle}} Former Liverpool player and BBC Sport football pundit Mark Lawrenson said in 2011: "What makes Gareth Bale so special? Simple. He is one of the quickest players I've ever seen, but he has another gear and the ability to find that extra pace within the next stride. He has the ability to perform and use his technique at great pace."{{Cite news |date=27 January 2011 |title=Gareth Bale: why Inter are going to bid £40m for Tottenham star |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jan/27/gareth-bale-inter-bid-40m |access-date=27 January 2011 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902013747/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/jan/27/gareth-bale-inter-bid-40m |url-status=live}}

During the 2011–12 season, Harry Redknapp experimented with using Bale as an attacking midfielder.{{Cite news |last=Winter |first=Henry |date=29 December 2011 |title=Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale flourishing in inside role as club chase Premier League glory |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/8981305/Tottenham-Hotspurs-Gareth-Bale-flourishing-in-inside-role-as-club-chase-Premier-League-glory.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/8981305/Tottenham-Hotspurs-Gareth-Bale-flourishing-in-inside-role-as-club-chase-Premier-League-glory.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news |date=28 December 2011 |title=Bale relishing new role |work=Sky Sports |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/7399628/Bale-relishing-new-role |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829132155/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11675/7399628/Bale-relishing-new-role |url-status=live}} The following season, André Villas-Boas frequently used Bale in this role.{{Cite news |date=13 March 2013 |title=Bale savouring free role at Tottenham |work=FOX Sports Asia |url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/premier-league/news/detail/item946871/ |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209221742/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/premier-league/news/detail/item946871/ |archive-date=9 February 2014}} After joining Real Madrid, Bale played as a right winger due to Cristiano Ronaldo playing on the left, which allowed him to cut into the centre and strike the ball with his stronger left foot;{{Cite web |last=Corrigan |first=Dermot |date=18 May 2016 |title=Carlo Ancelotti: I was asked to change Gareth Bale role at Real Madrid |url=http://www.espnfc.us/real-madrid/story/2875319/carlo-ancelotti-i-was-asked-to-change-gareth-bale-role-at-real-madrid |access-date=16 August 2016 |website=ESPN FC |archive-date=17 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817062305/http://www.espnfc.us/real-madrid/story/2875319/carlo-ancelotti-i-was-asked-to-change-gareth-bale-role-at-real-madrid |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=García-Ochoa |first=Juan I. |date=14 August 2013 |title=Chris Coleman: "Bale is a super-player" |work=Marca |location=Spain |url=http://www.marca.com/2013/08/14/en/football/international_football/1376458762.html |access-date=4 January 2018 |archive-date=5 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105011659/http://www.marca.com/2013/08/14/en/football/international_football/1376458762.html |url-status=live}} he was also used as a striker{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Michael |date=23 May 2014 |title=How moving back helped Gareth Bale move forward at Real Madrid |url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/how-moving-back-helped-gareth-bale-move-forward-real-madrid |access-date=16 August 2016 |website=FourFourTwo |archive-date=11 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911104952/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/how-moving-back-helped-gareth-bale-move-forward-real-madrid |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Balague |first=Guillem |date=6 May 2015 |title=Carlo Ancelotti tactics rather than Gareth Bale to blame for Real Madrid's defeat at Juventus, says Guillem Balague |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12087/9838534/gareth-bale-one-of-many-at-fault-for-real-madrids-defeat-at-juventus |access-date=16 August 2016 |website=Sky Sports |archive-date=8 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508233004/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12087/9838534/gareth-bale-one-of-many-at-fault-for-real-madrids-defeat-at-juventus |url-status=live}} courtesy of his goalscoring, off-the-ball movement,{{Cite news |last=Laurence |first=Martin |date=6 August 2015 |title=What is Gareth Bale's best position for Real Madrid? |work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/9938241/what-is-gareth-bales-best-position-for-real-madrid |access-date=4 January 2018 |archive-date=5 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105070156/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/9938241/what-is-gareth-bales-best-position-for-real-madrid |url-status=live}} and physicality;{{Cite news |date=11 September 2016 |title=Redknapp: Gareth Bale is the best player in the world |work=Marca |location=Spain |url=http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2016/09/11/57d55bf9ca474109318b4579.html |access-date=4 January 2018 |archive-date=5 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105011900/http://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2016/09/11/57d55bf9ca474109318b4579.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=23 February 2017 |title=Cristiano Ronaldo and the top 20 heading heroes of European football |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/23/cristiano-ronaldo-top-20-heading-heroes-european-football/gareth-bale/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=4 January 2018 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/02/23/cristiano-ronaldo-top-20-heading-heroes-european-football/gareth-bale/ |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |last=Carbis |first=Ian |date=15 January 2016 |title=Why Gareth Bale is officially head and shoulders above Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-bale-officially-head-shoulders-10739764 |access-date=4 January 2018 |website=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |archive-date=5 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105011537/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-bale-officially-head-shoulders-10739764 |url-status=live}} however, his playing time during his later seasons with Real Madrid was limited due to injuries.{{Cite web |last=Corrigan |first=Dermot |date=13 November 2017 |title=Breaking down Bale's injury-plagued Real Madrid career season by season |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/real-madrid/86/blog/post/3112177/breaking-down-bale-injury-plagued-real-madrid-career-season-by-season |access-date=4 January 2018 |publisher=ESPN |archive-date=5 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105123129/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/real-madrid/86/blog/post/3112177/breaking-down-bale-injury-plagued-real-madrid-career-season-by-season |url-status=live}}

{{quote box |align=right |salign=right |width=33% |quote=The Welsh public are so grateful to have a Gareth Bale that they don't put that pressure on him, they're just so happy we have a player of that quality that they build him up but not in a way to knock him down. Even if Gareth had the worst game of his life, scored a couple of own goals and got sent off, Welsh fans would never lambast him. They appreciate that we are fortunate, as a small country, to have a superstar.|author={{mdash}}Wayne Hennessey{{r|fisher1}}}}

Bale is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation and the greatest Welsh player of all time.{{Cite web |title='Gareth Bale probably the best left winger in the Premier League if not in Europe' – Everton's Phil Neville on the Tottenham star |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/9/english-football/2012/01/11/2841436/gareth-bale-probably-the-best-left-winger-in-the-premier |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=Goal.com |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714222155/https://www.goal.com/en/news/9/english-football/2012/01/11/2841436/gareth-bale-probably-the-best-left-winger-in-the-premier |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=The 5 best Welsh Football Players of all-time |url=https://thesporting.blog/blog/the-5-best-welsh-football-players-of-all-time |access-date=11 November 2022 |website=The Sporting Blog |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220002102/https://thesporting.blog/blog/the-5-best-welsh-football-players-of-all-time |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=20 October 2021 |title=The Best British Player Ever? It's Time To Put Some Respect On Gareth Bale's Name |url=https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/the-best-british-player-ever-it-s-time-to-put-some-respect-on-gareth-bale-s-name |access-date=29 May 2022 |website=The Sportsman |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209131409/https://www.thesportsman.com/articles/the-best-british-player-ever-it-s-time-to-put-some-respect-on-gareth-bale-s-name |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=26 March 2022 |title=Is Gareth Bale 'the greatest British footballer of all-time'? talkSPORT pundits react |url=https://talksport.com/football/1072273/gareth-bale-wales-best-british-dalglish-best-gascoigne-real-madrid-tottenham/ |access-date=1 June 2022 |website=talkSPORT |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526000049/https://talksport.com/football/1072273/gareth-bale-wales-best-british-dalglish-best-gascoigne-real-madrid-tottenham/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=11 November 2021 |title=Gareth Bale is 'best British player of his generation', Joe Ledley claims |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/gareth-bale-wales-british-real-madrid-chris-coleman-b1955797.html |access-date=1 June 2022 |website=The Independent |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224230501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/gareth-bale-wales-british-real-madrid-chris-coleman-b1955797.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=14 April 2023 |title=Ranked! The 25 best British players of all time |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/ranked-the-25-best-british-players-of-all-time-great-britain-united-kingdom-england-scotland-wales-northern-ireland |access-date=19 October 2024 |website=FourFourTwo |language=en}} After a Champions League group stage match against Inter Milan on 2 November 2010, his teammate Rafael van der Vaart said, "Everyone is scared of him (Bale). Maicon is one of the best defenders in the world, and he's killed him."{{Cite news |last=Burt |first=Jason |date=3 November 2010 |title=Harry Redknapp pours praise on 'fantastic' Gareth Bale and insists he is not for sale |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/8105525/Harry-Redknapp-pours-praise-on-fantastic-Gareth-Bale-and-insists-he-is-not-for-sale.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/8105525/Harry-Redknapp-pours-praise-on-fantastic-Gareth-Bale-and-insists-he-is-not-for-sale.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |date=2 November 2010 |title=Van der Vaart: Bale 'killed' Maicon in Spurs win |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=838445&sec=uefachampionsleague&cc=5901 |access-date=22 December 2011 |website=ESPN Soccernet |archive-date=6 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106052108/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=838445&sec=uefachampionsleague&cc=5901 |url-status=dead}} El Mundo praising Bale for his performance wrote, "Bale combines the height and build of an 800-metre runner like Steve Ovett with the acceleration and directness of a rugby winger like Bryan Habana. And, when he gets to the byline, he delivers curling crosses like a Brazilian".{{Cite news |last=Christenson |first=Marcus |date=3 November 2010 |title=Gareth Bale hailed by European press for 'destroying' Maicon |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/03/gareth-bale-hailed-european-press |access-date=4 November 2010 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902013755/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/03/gareth-bale-hailed-european-press |url-status=live}}

File:Monument to Gareth Bale.001 - Cardiff Castle.jpg]]

According to his Wales teammates, Bale was a pivotal and influential figure for the squad. Welsh international Neil Taylor spoke about Bale's positive influence on the team's psyche and performance, "There's a belief about the team when he's in it. He makes everyone around him play better."{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Ben |date=11 June 2021 |title=Gareth Bale's club star has waned but Wales captain remains pivotal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/11/gareth-bale-wales-captain-euro-2020-football |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210611195527/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/11/gareth-bale-wales-captain-euro-2020-football |archive-date=11 June 2021 |website=The Guardian |location=Baku}}

In October 2012, Harry Redknapp mentioned him in the same class as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He said: "He's an amazing, amazing talent and he's after the Ronaldos and Messis of this world and he's getting better and better. He's almost unplayable when he's on his game. He is a genuine world-class player. There's nobody he couldn't play for. He'd improve any team."{{Cite news |date=16 October 2012 |title=Gareth Bale in Ronaldo and Messi's class, says Redknapp |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19957299 |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-date=16 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016104240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19957299 |url-status=live}}

Bale was accused of diving by some in the British media;{{Cite news |date=20 April 2012 |title=Liverpool top the diving league, but Gareth Bale is worst offender |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9216466/Liverpool-top-the-diving-league-but-Gareth-Bale-is-worst-offender.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9216466/Liverpool-top-the-diving-league-but-Gareth-Bale-is-worst-offender.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news |date=8 October 2012 |title=How can football solve a problem like diving? |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/oct/08/football-diving-referees-problem |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902013801/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/oct/08/football-diving-referees-problem |url-status=live}} however, this was denied by Bale,{{Cite news |date=8 March 2012 |title=Tottenham's Gareth Bale hits back at 'annoying' diving allegations |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/08/tottenham-gareth-bale-diving-allegations |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=28 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928043953/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/08/tottenham-gareth-bale-diving-allegations |url-status=live}} Harry Redknapp,{{Cite news |date=2 March 2012 |title=Gareth Bale is not a diver, insists Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/02/gareth-bale-not-diver-harry-redknapp |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-date=2 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902013807/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/02/gareth-bale-not-diver-harry-redknapp |url-status=live}} and Wales coach Chris Coleman.{{Cite news |date=12 October 2012 |title=Wales v Scotland: Gareth Bale is not a diver, insists manager Chris Coleman, after 2–1 World Cup qualifying win |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/wales/9605987/Wales-v-Scotland-Gareth-Bale-is-not-a-diver-insists-manager-Chris-Coleman-after-2-1-World-Cup-qualifying-win.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/wales/9605987/Wales-v-Scotland-Gareth-Bale-is-not-a-diver-insists-manager-Chris-Coleman-after-2-1-World-Cup-qualifying-win.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} On 29 December 2012, Bale picked up his third yellow card for simulation in the 2012–13 season.{{Cite news |date=30 December 2012 |title=I'm no diver, says Tottenham star Gareth Bale |work=News.com.au |url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/im-no-diver-says-tottenham-star-gareth-bale/story-fndkzvnd-1226545208768 |access-date=31 December 2012 |archive-date=31 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231123128/http://www.news.com.au/sport/football/im-no-diver-says-tottenham-star-gareth-bale/story-fndkzvnd-1226545208768 |url-status=dead}} During his Premier League tenure, he was booked eight times for simulation.{{Cite news |title=Everton manager Roberto Martínez wants end to diving |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25587737 |access-date=3 January 2014 |archive-date=4 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104035102/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25587737 |url-status=live}} In 2016, The Guardian listed him as the seventh-best footballer in the world.{{Cite news |date=20 December 2016 |title=The 100 best footballers in the world 2016 – interactive |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2016/dec/20/the-100-best-footballers-in-the-world-2016-interactive |access-date=20 July 2017 |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802150024/https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2016/dec/20/the-100-best-footballers-in-the-world-2016-interactive |url-status=live}}

During his time at Real Madrid, Bale was praised by the media for his amazing performances in important matches.{{Cite web |date=28 March 2020 |title=7 of Real Madrid's Best Big Game Players – Ranked |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/6584670-7-of-real-madrid-s-best-big-game-players-ranked |access-date=8 June 2022 |website=90min |archive-date=29 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129205534/https://www.90min.com/posts/6584670-7-of-real-madrid-s-best-big-game-players-ranked |url-status=live}} However, Bale became less popular with Madrid's fans during his final seasons with the club due to his lack of commitment.{{Cite news |last=Whitehead |first=Jacob |date=11 April 2022 |title=Casemiro on Bale jeering: 'When you whistle him, you're whistling at the history of Madrid' |work=The Athletic |url=https://theathletic.com/news/casemiro-on-bale-jeering-when-you-whistle-him-youre-whistling-at-the-history-of-real-madrid/L8tKcUaLHeAt/ |access-date=5 June 2022 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605143209/https://theathletic.com/news/casemiro-on-bale-jeering-when-you-whistle-him-youre-whistling-at-the-history-of-real-madrid/L8tKcUaLHeAt/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Sharma |first=Rik |date=26 May 2022 |title=Gareth Bale: Real Madrid flop or misunderstood legend? |publisher=www.goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/gareth-bale-real-madrid-flop-or-misunderstood-legend/blt65ef95c07d6c57cc |access-date=5 June 2022 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605143209/https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/gareth-bale-real-madrid-flop-or-misunderstood-legend/blt65ef95c07d6c57cc |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2 June 2021 |title=Ancelotti Expects Bale Back at Real Madrid |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/06/02/gareth-bale-real-madrid-carlo-ancelotti |access-date=5 June 2022 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605143541/https://www.si.com/soccer/2021/06/02/gareth-bale-real-madrid-carlo-ancelotti |url-status=live}} Moreover, he was criticised for failing to live up to his potential due to his injuries.{{Cite web |last=Hayward |first=Ben |title=Real Decay: The Fall of Gareth Bale |url=https://www.goal.com/story/real-decay-bale/index.html |access-date=7 August 2022 |publisher=www.goal.com |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807045613/https://www.goal.com/story/real-decay-bale/index.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=25 November 2016 |title=Are injuries threatening Bale's Real legacy? |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/club/real-madrid/86/blog/post/3004179/injuries-threatening-to-derail-gareth-bales-real-madrid-legacy |access-date=7 August 2022 |website=ESPN.com |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807045613/https://www.espn.com/soccer/club/real-madrid/86/blog/post/3004179/injuries-threatening-to-derail-gareth-bales-real-madrid-legacy |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Priestman |first=George |date=6 April 2022 |title=Where is Gareth Bale? Chelsea status, injury record this season for Real Madrid star |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/soccer/news/where-gareth-bale-chelsea-status-injury-record-season-real-madrid-star/wrzlqfnxupmdgo1a43idkt0t |access-date=7 August 2022 |publisher=www.sportingnews.com |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807045613/https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/soccer/news/where-gareth-bale-chelsea-status-injury-record-season-real-madrid-star/wrzlqfnxupmdgo1a43idkt0t |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Burton |first=Chris |date=19 May 2022 |title=Ancelotti urges Real Madrid fans to give Bale good send off for all he's done for club despite previous boos |work=Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/ancelotti-real-madrid-fans-bale-send-off-previous-boos/blta901ad32fe2a9111 |access-date=7 August 2022 |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807045613/https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/ancelotti-real-madrid-fans-bale-send-off-previous-boos/blta901ad32fe2a9111 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=1 June 2022 |title=Bale bids farewell to Real Madrid, says he fulfilled his dream |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/bale-bids-farewell-to-real-madrid-says-he-fulfilled-his-dream/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |publisher=Sportsnet |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810232820/https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/bale-bids-farewell-to-real-madrid-says-he-fulfilled-his-dream/ |url-status=live}}

Bale lives in Madrid with his partner Emma Rhys-Jones, his high-school sweetheart.{{Cite news |date=20 October 2012 |title=Gareth Bale withdraws from Tottenham match as partner goes into labour |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2012/10/20/updated-gareth-bale-withdraws-from-tottenham-match-as-partner-goes-into-labour-91466-32071244/ |access-date=27 September 2018 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023212413/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2012/10/20/updated-gareth-bale-withdraws-from-tottenham-match-as-partner-goes-into-labour-91466-32071244/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Parrish |first=Charlie |date=21 November 2014 |title=Gareth Bale: 'Without Real Madrid, it would have been very, very difficult to have ever left Spurs' |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11238362/Gareth-Bale-exclusive-interview-Real-Madrid-Spurs.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=21 November 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/11238362/Gareth-Bale-exclusive-interview-Real-Madrid-Spurs.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} Their first two children were born in Cardiff: one on 21 October 2012{{Cite news |last=Joel |first=Don |date=29 June 2016 |title=Gareth Bale reveals the emotion of being reunited with his daughter in pictures that endeared him to the world |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-bale-reveals-emotion-being-11543014 |access-date=18 March 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141719/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-bale-reveals-emotion-being-11543014 |url-status=live}} and the other on 22 March 2016.{{Cite news |title=Wales footballer Gareth Bale welcomes second daughter |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-35876998 |access-date=22 March 2016 |archive-date=4 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804144344/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-35876998 |url-status=live}} On 17 July 2016, Bale announced his engagement with Rhys-Jones.{{Cite news |date=17 July 2016 |title=Gareth Bale: Wales and Real Madrid star gets engaged |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-36816420 |access-date=17 July 2016 |archive-date=4 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804145236/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-36816420 |url-status=live}} On 9 March 2018, Bale announced that he and his fiancée were expecting their third child.{{Cite news |date=9 March 2018 |title=Footballer Bale expecting third child with Emma Rhys-Jones |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-43351245 |access-date=4 August 2019 |archive-date=4 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204231107/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-43351245 |url-status=live}} On 8 May 2018, the couple announced the birth of their third child.{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Callum |date=8 May 2018 |title=Gareth Bale shares first picture of new-born son in Champions League baby-grow |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/05/08/gareth-bale-shares-first-picture-new-born-son-champions-league/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=4 August 2019 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/05/08/gareth-bale-shares-first-picture-new-born-son-champions-league/ |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} They married in June 2019.{{Cite web |last=Woolford |first=Anthony |date=7 July 2019 |title=Gareth Bale secretly marries his Cardiff sweetheart in hush-hush wedding on tiny Spanish island |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-bale-secretly-marries-cardiff-16545242 |access-date=7 July 2019 |website=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |archive-date=7 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707142656/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gareth-bale-secretly-marries-cardiff-16545242 |url-status=live}}

Bale was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for his contributions to association football and various charities.

Bale is vegan{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Geraint |title=Reporter notebook: Why Gareth Bale's move to MLS side Los Angeles FC is good for all involved, says Sky Sports News' Geraint Hughes |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12640414/reporters-notebook-why-gareth-bales-move-to-mls-side-los-angeles-fc-is-good-for-all-involved-says-sky-sports-news-geraint-hughes |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=Sky Sports |date=27 June 2022 |archive-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115192443/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12640414/reporters-notebook-why-gareth-bales-move-to-mls-side-los-angeles-fc-is-good-for-all-involved-says-sky-sports-news-geraint-hughes |url-status=live}} and teetotal.{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Sam |date=27 March 2013 |title=Gareth: 'I can't stand the booze' |work=WalesOnline |publisher=Media Wales |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gareth-i-cant-stand-booze-1884234 |access-date=22 March 2018 |archive-date=9 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709182205/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/gareth-i-cant-stand-booze-1884234 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Gareth Bale: Home is where the heart is for £85m star |work=BBC News |date=2 September 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-23575672|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222083552/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-23575672|archive-date=22 February 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Fifield |first=Dominic |date=11 June 2016 |title=Danny Rose's insight on Gareth Bale sends shivers down England spines |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/11/danny-rose-england-gareth-bale-wales-euro-2016 |access-date=22 March 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144819/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/11/danny-rose-england-gareth-bale-wales-euro-2016 |url-status=live}} In 2024, he promoted Heineken 0.0 for Dry January.{{cite news |last1=Stanley |first1=T. L. |title=Heineken 0.0 Says Don't 'Bale' on the Party During Dry January |url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/heineken-00-says-dont-bale-on-the-party-during-dry-january/ |work=Adweek |access-date=15 January 2024 |date=10 January 2024}}

Bale is not a fluent Welsh speaker, only knowing simple Welsh phrases.{{cite news |last1=Keh |first1=Andrew |title=Gareth Bale and Wales Embrace the Games of a Lifetime |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/sports/soccer/wales-gareth-bale-world-cup.html|access-date=15 January 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=20 November 2022 |quote=Bale does not speak Welsh, but it hardly mattered. Those words were etched in his mind long ago.}}{{cite news |last1=Barton |first1=Leon |title=How Gareth Bale changed Wales |url=https://nation.cymru/sport/how-gareth-bale-changed-wales/ |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=Nation.Cymru |date=9 January 2024 |quote=He might not speak Welsh but he fully embraced the connection between the language and the national football team}} While at Real Madrid, he was criticised by the Spanish media for allegedly not learning the Spanish language,{{cite news |title=Los problemas de Bale con el español tras seis años en Madrid: "Ni idea de qué has dicho"|trans-title=Bale's problems with Spanish after six years in Madrid: "No idea what you've just said" |url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/gareth-bale-problemas-hablar-espanol-3595165/0/ |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=20 minutos |date=22 March 2019 |language=Spanish}}{{cite news |title="Bale debería aprender español, por respeto al club"|trans-title="Bale should learn Spanish, out of respect to the club" |url=https://www.20minutos.es/deportes/noticia/toshack-bale-aprender-espanol-respeto-3563665/0/ |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=20 minutos |date=15 February 2019 |language=Spanish}} an accusation that his agent denied.{{cite news |title=Agente de Gareth Bale asegura que el galés sí habla español y llama idiotas a quienes lo critican|trans-title=Gareth Bale's agent assures that the Welshman does speak Spanish and calls those who criticise him idiots |url=https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/7015109/gareth-bale-real-madrid-habla-espanol-criticas-agente-declaraciones |access-date=15 January 2024 |work=ESPN |date=5 June 2020 |language=Spanish}}

File:Gareth Bale 2015 (6).jpg X15 football boots in 2015]]

On 26 March 2013, Bale filed an application with the Intellectual Property Office to create a logo based on his heart-shaped goal celebration along with his squad number (11) to be used on merchandise.{{Cite news |last=Trotman |first=Andrew |date=7 May 2013 |title=Gareth Bale plans to put 'heart' goal celebration on clothing after filing trademark |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10042652/Gareth-Bale-plans-to-put-heart-goal-celebration-on-clothing-after-filing-trademark.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=9 May 2013 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10042652/Gareth-Bale-plans-to-put-heart-goal-celebration-on-clothing-after-filing-trademark.html |archive-date=11 January 2022}}{{cbignore}} Bale was featured in EA Sports' FIFA video game series and he appeared on the British, Irish and Middle Eastern covers of FIFA 14 alongside Lionel Messi.{{Cite web |date=11 July 2013 |title=Gareth Bale Stars With Lionel Messi on the FIFA 14 Cover |url=http://www.easports.com/uk/fifa/news-updates-gameplay/article/fifa-14-uk-cover-reveal |access-date=15 July 2013 |publisher=EA Sports}} His goal celebration is featured in FIFA 14.{{Cite web |date=27 September 2013 |title=Fifa 14 celebrations: How to do Gareth Bale, Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi's signature moves |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fifa-14-celebrations-how-gareth-2268393 |access-date=8 September 2014 |newspaper=Daily Mirror}}

Bale has partnerships with companies such as Adidas, EA Sports, Lucozade and BT Sport.{{Cite web |title=Gareth Bale in BT Sport channel deal |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/gareth-bale-in-bt-sport-channel-deal-1-2859633 |access-date=27 September 2018 |newspaper=The Scotsman}} In 2014, Bale was the first player to wear the Adidas F50 crazylight football boots.{{Cite web |date=17 March 2014 |title=Gareth Bale Reveals Adidas' Adizero F50 Crazylight Boots (Pictures) |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/17/gareth-bale-adidas-adizero_n_4978083.html |access-date=27 September 2018 |newspaper=HuffPost}} In 2015, he unveiled the Adidas X15 football boots.{{Cite news |title=WATCH: Gareth Bale's stunning skills in new football boots promo |work=Irish Examiner |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30682728.html |access-date=14 November 2022}}

Bale has over 45 million Instagram followers and earns $185,000 per sponsored post, the second-highest paid British person after David Beckham.{{Cite news |title=Kylie Jenner and David Beckham make Instagram rich list |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-44952480 |access-date=25 July 2018}} In 2016, ESPN ranked Bale twelfth on its list of the world's most famous athletes.{{Cite news |date=3 June 2016 |title=ESPN World Fame 100 |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/15685581/espn-world-fame-100 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713040749/http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/15685581/espn-world-fame-100 |archive-date=13 July 2016 |access-date=13 June 2016 |publisher=ESPN}}

In November 2014, Bale appeared in FIFA's "11 against Ebola" campaign along with other football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Xavi, and Didier Drogba.{{Cite web |date=17 November 2014 |title=Top players, FIFA, CAF and health experts unite against Ebola |url=https://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/footballdevelopment/medical/media/news/newsid=2475755/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141122053900/http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/footballdevelopment/medical/media/news/newsid=2475755/ |archive-date=22 November 2014 |access-date=4 March 2015 |publisher=FIFA}} Under the slogan "Together, we can beat Ebola", FIFA's campaign was done in conjunction with the Confederation of African Football and health experts, with the players holding up eleven messages to raise awareness of and combat the disease.

In April 2020, he and his wife Emma donated £1 million to health boards in Wales and Spain to help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |last=Lowe |first=Sid |date=22 April 2020 |title=Gareth Bale gives almost £1m to fight coronavirus in Spain and Wales |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/22/gareth-bale-donates-1m-to-fight-coronavirus-in-spain-and-wales |access-date=1 February 2021}} In October 2020, Bale gave £15,000 for Christmas hampers in Swansea, Wales.{{Cite news |date=31 October 2020 |title=Wales star Gareth Bale gives £15,000 for Christmas hampers |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-54761258}}

Bale is a keen golfer and in his back garden, he has a replica of the 17th hole – the Island Green – at TPC at Sawgrass. This hobby became controversial in his final seasons at Real Madrid, with the perception that Bale was more interested in golf than football. El Confidencial cited golf as the reason why Bale spent so much time out injured, claiming it worsened his back problems.{{Cite magazine |last=Inglis |first=Martin |date=11 October 2017 |title=Golf blamed for Gareth Bale's injury woes |url=http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/golf-blamed-for-gareth-bales-injury-woes |magazine=bunkered |access-date=27 September 2018}} Bale humorously played-up to this reputation, as after he qualified for the Euro 2020 tournament with Wales, he celebrated behind a Welsh flag with the slogan "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order" written on it.{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Sid |title=Gareth Bale and that 'Wales, golf, Madrid' flag: Real are not amused |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2019/nov/20/gareth-bale-and-that-wales-golf-madrid-flag-real-are-not-amused |work=The Guardian |date=20 November 2019 |access-date=10 January 2023}} Bale was interviewed in Episode 179 of The Erik Anders Lang Show podcast, in which he said his golf handicap was "between a three and a four".{{Cite web |date=25 May 2020 |title=Gareth Bale (Forward for Real Madrid) Talks Golf and Life as a Professional Footballer |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQI94rTzIpQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/tQI94rTzIpQ |archive-date=14 December 2021 |access-date=6 October 2020 |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Bale competed alongside American professional golfer Joseph Bramlett in the February 2023 edition of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California.{{cite web |title=Gareth Bale to play in PGA Tour event after retiring from football |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64383897.amp |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |access-date=24 January 2023 |date=24 January 2023}} The two of them placed joint-16th in the amateur section of the competition.{{Cite news |last=Cole |first=Jackson |date=7 February 2023 |title=Gareth Bale claims impressive joint-16th finish at Pebble Beach Pro-Am on PGA Tour debut as Justin Rose wins pro tournament |work=Talksport |url=https://talksport.com/sport/golf/1325199/gareth-bale-result-pebble-beach-pro-am-pga-tour-debut-justin-rose/ |access-date=8 April 2022}}

{{notelist}}

{{Main|List of international goals scored by Gareth Bale}}

Tottenham Hotspur

• Football League Cup: 2007–08{{Cite web |date=9 January 2023 |title=A look at Gareth Bale's career honours |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/look-gareth-bale-career-honours-165804385.html |access-date=12 January 2023 |website=Yahoo!Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111215119/https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/look-gareth-bale-career-honours-165804385.html |archive-date=11 January 2023}}

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 2016–17,{{Cite web |title=Real Madrid 2016–17: Statistics |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/t/t2016-172.html?t=lista |access-date=25 May 2020 |website=BDFutbol}} 2019–20, 2021–22{{Cite web |title=Real Madrid win record-extending 35th La Liga title after thrashing Espanyol – Euro round-up |url=https://uk-sport-web.prod.oceanusorigin.com/football/news/11095/12603085/real-madrid-win-record-extending-35th-la-liga-title-after-thrashing-espanyol-euro-round-up |access-date=30 April 2022 |website=Sky Sports}}{{dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Copa del Rey: 2013–14{{Cite web |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 16 de abril de 2014, en Valencia |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 16 April 2014, in Valencia |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=23476 |access-date=25 May 2020 |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |language=es |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615010140/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=23476 |url-status=dead}}
• Supercopa de España: 2017{{Cite web |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 13 de agosto de 2017, en Barcelona |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 13 August 2017, in Barcelona |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=42775 |access-date=25 May 2020 |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |language=es |archive-date=18 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818142217/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=42775 |url-status=dead}}
  {{Cite web |title=Acta del Partido celebrado el 16 de agosto de 2017, en Madrid |trans-title=Minutes of the Match held on 16 August 2017, in Madrid |url=http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=42781 |access-date=25 May 2020 |publisher=Royal Spanish Football Federation |language=es |archive-date=28 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128150635/http://actas.rfef.es/actas/RFEF_CmpActa1?cod_primaria=1000144&CodActa=42781 |url-status=dead}}
• UEFA Champions League: 2013–14,{{Cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=25 May 2014 |title=Real Madrid 4–1 Atlético Madrid |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27383593 |access-date=25 May 2020}} 2015–16,{{Cite news |last=Johnston |first=Neil |date=29 May 2016 |title=Real Madrid 1–1 Atlético Madrid |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36254652 |access-date=25 May 2020}} 2016–17,{{Cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=3 June 2017 |title=Juventus 1–4 Real Madrid |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40123279 |access-date=25 May 2020}} 2017–18,{{Cite news |last=McNulty |first=Phil |date=26 May 2018 |title=Real Madrid 3–1 Liverpool |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44258022 |access-date=25 May 2020}} 2021–22{{Cite news |date=28 May 2022 |title=Champions League final: Vinícius Júnior scores only goal as Real Madrid deny Liverpool again |work=UEFA |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0275-15415a62aaf0-36d3e17d7404-1000/ |access-date=28 May 2022}}
• UEFA Super Cup: 2014,{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Rob |date=12 August 2014 |title=Super Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice in Real Madrid win |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28741099 |access-date=25 May 2020}} 2017{{Cite news |last=Jurejko |first=Jonathan |date=8 August 2017 |title=Real Madrid 2–1 Manchester United |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40788621 |access-date=25 May 2020}}
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2014,{{Cite news |last=Jurejko |first=Jonathan |date=20 December 2014 |title=Real Madrid 2–0 San Lorenzo |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/30487421 |access-date=25 May 2020}} 2017,{{Cite news |date=16 December 2017 |title=Real Madrid 1–0 Grêmio |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42370685 |access-date=25 May 2020}} 2018{{Cite news |date=22 December 2018 |title=Real Madrid 4–1 Al Ain |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46651517 |access-date=25 May 2020}}

Los Angeles FC

• MLS Cup: 2022{{Cite news |date=6 November 2022 |title=Bale's 128th-minute goal helps LAFC win MLS Cup |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63531014 |access-date=10 January 2023}}
• Supporters' Shield: 2022{{Cite web |last=Tolmich |first=Ryan |date=2 October 2022 |title=Bale, Chiellini and LAFC claim Supporters' Shield with last-gasp winner |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/bale-chiellini-and-lafc-claim-supporters-shield-with-last-gasp-winner/bltc1148c0634399267 |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=Goal}}

Individual

• Tottenham Hotspur Young Player of the Year: 2009–10,{{Cite web |date=3 May 2010 |title=Gareth, Daws scoop awards |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/daws-bale-scoop-awards-030510.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100506213848/http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/daws-bale-scoop-awards-030510.html |archive-date=6 May 2010 |access-date=3 May 2010 |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C.}} 2010–11,{{Cite web |date=19 April 2014 |title=Gareth Bale {{!}} Tottenham Hotspur News and Supporters Forum |url=http://www.tottenhamhotspurs.tv/players/gareth-bale |access-date=9 March 2024 |archive-date=19 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419025629/http://www.tottenhamhotspurs.tv/players/gareth-bale |url-status=bot: unknown }} 2012–13{{Cite web |title=player of the year and other awards |url=https://www.mehstg.com/awards.htm |access-date=9 March 2024 |website=www.mehstg.com}}
• Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year: 2012–13{{Cite web |title=Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year Award Winners 1987–2020 |url=https://www.myfootballfacts.com/premier-league/premier-league-clubs-2/spurs_player_of_the_year/ |access-date=18 September 2020 |website=myfootballfacts.com}}
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2011,{{Cite web |date=18 January 2012 |title=uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2011 revealed |url=https://www.uefa.com/news/01f9-0e7b894d6108-cf92003088c7-1000--uefa-com-users-team-of-the-year-2011-revealed/?referrer=%2Fcommunity%2Fnews%2Fnewsid%3D1741715 |access-date=1 March 2013 |publisher=UEFA}} 2013{{Cite web |date=15 January 2014 |title=uefa.com users' Team of the Year 2013 revealed |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0211-0e886aea4972-e05ec10a8dad-1000--uefa-com-users-team-of-the-year-2013-revealed/ |access-date=27 September 2018 |publisher=UEFA}}
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2015–16{{Cite web |date=30 May 2016 |title=UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/022d-0e948891dc6b-533ac6fffce1-1000--uefa-champions-league-squad-of-the-season/ |access-date=22 July 2016 |publisher=UEFA}}
• Welsh Footballer of the Year: 2010, 2011,{{Cite news |date=4 October 2011 |title=Gareth Bale retains FA of Wales player of the year award |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15172903.stm? |access-date=5 October 2011}} 2013,{{Cite web |date=7 October 2013 |title=Bale wins Welsh player award |url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/435071/Bale-wins-Welsh-player-award |access-date=9 April 2016 |newspaper=Daily Express}} 2014,{{Cite news |date=6 October 2014 |title=Gareth Bale wins Welsh player award for record fourth time |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29515604 |access-date=7 October 2014}} 2015,{{Cite news |date=5 October 2015 |title=Gareth Bale: Real Madrid forward named Welsh player of the year |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34449201 |access-date=6 October 2015}} 2016{{Cite news |date=8 November 2015 |title=Gareth Bale and Joe Allen lead Wales award winners |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37909156 |access-date=12 November 2016}}
• ESM Team of the Year: 2012–13{{Cite web |date=12 June 2013 |title=ESM-Top-11: Nur Torres und Ivanovic durchbrechen Bundesliga-Phalanx |url=https://www.kicker.de/esm-top-11_nur-torres-und-ivanovic-durchbrechen-bundesliga-phalanx-543774/artikel |access-date=15 June 2014 |website=Kicker |language=de}}
• The Football League Team of the Decade{{Cite web |date=19 April 2015 |title=The Football League announces its Team of the Decade |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/news/article/2015/football-league-announces-its-team-of-the-decade-2411700.aspx |access-date=1 May 2022 |publisher=EFL.com}}
• PFA Team of the Year: 2006–07 Championship,{{Cite news |date=22 April 2007 |title=Ronaldo secures PFA awards double |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6582201.stm |access-date=23 May 2018}} 2010–11 Premier League, 2011–12 Premier League,{{Cite news |date=22 April 2012 |title=Arsenal striker Robin van Persie named PFA Player of the Year |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17797832 |access-date=23 May 2018}} 2012–13 Premier League
• PFA Players' Player of the Year: 2010–11, 2012–13
• PFA Young Player of the Year: 2012–13
• FWA Footballer of the Year: 2012–13{{Cite web |date=2 May 2013 |title=Bale named FWA Footballer of the Year |url=http://www.footballwriters.co.uk/news/bale-named-fwa-footballer-of-the-year/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504174528/http://www.footballwriters.co.uk/news/bale-named-fwa-footballer-of-the-year/ |archive-date=4 May 2013 |access-date=2 May 2013 |publisher=Football Writers' Association}}
• Premier League Player of the Season: 2012–13{{Cite web |title=Gareth Bale: Overview |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/3513/Gareth-Bale/overview |access-date=28 September 2018 |publisher=Premier League}}
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2018{{Cite web |date=22 December 2018 |title=Bale, Caio and Borre sweep awards |url=https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/bale-caio-and-borre-sweep-awards |publisher=FIFA}}
• BBC Wales Carwyn James Junior Sportsman of the Year: 2006
• Football Association of Wales Young Player of the Year: 2007{{Cite news |date=13 November 2007 |title=17th Football Presentation Awards Evening |publisher=Football Association of Wales}}
• BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year: 2010{{Cite news |date=6 December 2010 |title=Gareth Bale wins BBC Wales Sports Personality award |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/9261532.stm |access-date=27 September 2018}}

Orders

• Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): 2022{{London Gazette|issue=63714|supp=y|page=B17|date=1 June 2022}}

• List of top international men's football goal scorers by country
• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/the-club/history/football-legends/gareth-bale Gareth Bale] at Real Madrid CF
• {{Premier League player}}
• {{MLS player}}
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{UEFA player}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Wales squads

| bg = #D81E05

| fg = white

| bordercolor = green

| list1 =

{{Wales squad UEFA Euro 2016}}

{{Wales squad UEFA Euro 2020}}

{{Wales squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}}

}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Awards

| bg = gold

| fg = navy

| list1 =

{{The Football League Team of the Decade}}

{{2006–07 Football League Championship PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2010–11 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2011–12 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2012–13 Premier League PFA Team of the Year}}

{{2011 UEFA Team of the Year}}

{{2013 UEFA Team of the Year}}

{{FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball}}

{{FWA Footballer of the Year}}

{{PFA Players' Player of the Year}}

{{PFA Young Player of the Year}}

{{The Football League Young Player of the Year}}

{{Premier League Player of the Season}}

{{Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Player of the Year}}

{{Welsh Footballer of the Year}}

{{BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year winners}}

}}

{{Portal bar|Association football|Wales}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bale, Gareth}}

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Cardiff

Category:Welsh men's footballers

Category:21st-century Welsh sportsmen

Category:Wales men's youth international footballers

Category:Wales men's under-21 international footballers

Category:Wales men's international footballers

Category:Men's association football fullbacks

Category:Men's association football wingers

Category:Southampton F.C. players

Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players

Category:Real Madrid CF players

Category:Los Angeles FC players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Premier League players

Category:La Liga players

Category:Major League Soccer players

Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players

Category:UEFA Euro 2016 players

Category:UEFA Euro 2020 players

Category:2022 FIFA World Cup players

Category:Welsh expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Spain

Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in Spain

Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States

Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in the United States

Category:People educated at Whitchurch High School

Category:FIFA Men's Century Club

Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire