Football legend Gareth Bale has revealed the emotional reason behind his decision to retire at the age of just 33, despite still being capable of competing at elite level.

Speaking to GQ, the former Real Madrid and Wales superstar shared that his father’s illness completely changed his perspective on both football and life.

Bale explained: “My dad fell ill, and it had a huge impact on my decision to retire. No one truly knows what another person is going through at home. I realized there’s more to life than football.”

Bale’s final match as a professional player came during the England vs. Wales fixture at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After a decade at the highest level, the Welsh icon walked away with five Champions League titles at Real Madrid one of the most decorated British players in history.

Leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Madrid in 2013 for a then-world-record fee of £85.3 million, Bale insists he has no regrets about stepping away: “I don’t regret it at all.”

Reflecting on his mindset, Bale added: “Either you smile, or you cry. I choose to smile.” He believes the moments he created in Madrid particularly as a Welsh player succeeding on the world stage are “something that can never be repeated.”

During his prime, Bale was among the highest-paid players in the world thanks to his long-term contract with Real Madrid. Before retiring, he also had a short but impactful stint in MLS, playing for Los Angeles FC, where he won the MLS Cup.

Since hanging up his boots, Bale has explored new pathways serving as a football pundit for TNT Sports and even expressing interest in purchasing a club in his hometown.

Sources: GQ,TNT Sports