Yeah, in the v Giggs thread they used to say longevity doesnt matter but at least dont be finished by 28!Damn he’s only 31
this guy is supposed to be in his prime, with easily 3-4 years left in him at the top level but is clearly so checked out mentally and has fallen out of love with the game !
does his Madrid contract end after this season ? If not no way do Madrid keep him, they’ll be begging a Chinese/Qatari club to take him off there hands for free, in which he will be able to apply minimal effort and spend his free time playing golf, such a shame as well because he was genuinely world class!
Gareth Bale | Golfer, ex-Footballer, Elbower of racists, ***********, Golf Ambassador, Bar Owner, Real Legend, Defibrillator
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Not sure Bale has good seasons rather than good moments. He's a highlight reel and that is it.
pretty sure last summer or the summer before that he was off to China for a free before Real pulled the plug in the last minute...was going to earn a reported £1m per week. bet they are laughing now and real cryingDamn he’s only 31
this guy is supposed to be in his prime, with easily 3-4 years left in him at the top level but is clearly so checked out mentally and has fallen out of love with the game !
does his Madrid contract end after this season ? If not no way do Madrid keep him, they’ll be begging a Chinese/Qatari club to take him off there hands for free, in which he will be able to apply minimal effort and spend his free time playing golf, such a shame as well because he was genuinely world class!
Real Madrid are looking for a bale out, to be part of what he won with them and to see the shell of a player he is now at 31, I think its sad, he should be near a god like figure over there, but they will cheer when he leaves
Unless you have a 1:1 ratio, they ain’t interested at Madrid. It’s like a premium version of the SPL, but with Sun!
Giggs suffered recurring injuries to his hamstring from age 20 to 30 when he started with yoga. Robben is another speedy winger who improved after thirty. Ribery did fairly well. Overmars wasn't too shabby either. There are many players that prove that you can thrive as a winger/forward after 30. The best sprinters tend to be 30+. Injuries play an important part, but even so, there seems to be more to it than a loss of pace.
He should have picked us and played under Fergie when he had the chance.
When did he have the chance?
When he chose Spurs.
Went to Spurs from Southampton
When he moved from Southampton, I believe.
Two world class wingers from the last decade.. Robben and Ribery. both had injuries. both played into their mid 30s at a top level. Both incredible.
Each case is different.. the injuries might have taken a lot out of Bale.. but wingers do play into the 30s at a high level.. its not exactly unheard of.
It’s game over once you reach that point, happened to so many players. Years of constant niggling injuries lead them to believe that they always feel something and that it’s better to rest it rather than risk injury. Problem is, as a professional sportsman, you’re very rarely going to feel 100% for long spells.
He’s done.
Almost happened 2 years ago but madrid stupidly pulled the plug at the last minuteDamn he’s only 31
this guy is supposed to be in his prime, with easily 3-4 years left in him at the top level but is clearly so checked out mentally and has fallen out of love with the game !
does his Madrid contract end after this season ? If not no way do Madrid keep him, they’ll be begging a Chinese/Qatari club to take him off there hands for free, in which he will be able to apply minimal effort and spend his free time playing golf, such a shame as well because he was genuinely world class!
Chose Spurs over United when he left Southampton
After several months without him, I am glad that he is gone.
Above all to avoid that constant toxic debate that he caused.
About his performance, I thought that he would be better, that he would try to vindicate himself in some way, to show Zidane he was wrong.
In Madrid it was said that he had very little tolerance for pain, and that his relationship with Zidane had become cloudy because he thought that Gareth "erased himself"(not sure if it's the correct expression) from certain games.
Above all to avoid that constant toxic debate that he caused.
About his performance, I thought that he would be better, that he would try to vindicate himself in some way, to show Zidane he was wrong.
In Madrid it was said that he had very little tolerance for pain, and that his relationship with Zidane had become cloudy because he thought that Gareth "erased himself"(not sure if it's the correct expression) from certain games.
Cheers everyone.
Didn't follow that move, must confess
I’m quite gutted how this turned out for Bale, I’m still thinking that maybe a different manager at Spurs and it would have gone slightly differently as we all know mou loves an injury prone spacegoat, but I’m just making excuses for him now.
It’s a shame as it would have been great for wales to have him going into the euros off the back off a good season but looks like that’s not going to happen now.
he had a good run and a career most would kill for, I just think the Real Madrid circus was a step too far and it’s ruined him.
It’s a shame as it would have been great for wales to have him going into the euros off the back off a good season but looks like that’s not going to happen now.
he had a good run and a career most would kill for, I just think the Real Madrid circus was a step too far and it’s ruined him.
Wow, that really sounds like the end of the road for him at Spurs. Brutal honesty (if that’s the truth) from Jose.
I'm not sure he has anyone but himself to blame for the current situation.
Yes Real pulled the plug on a move to China, so what? It happens all the time with players, they don't sulk and basically give up on the game at 30. Especially if they were arguably amongst the best in the world at the time.
I've had no sympathy for him since all his pratting about while on the bench at Madrid and holding up that stupid banner at the Wales game. It's a slap in the face to everyone who loves the game and could only dream of having his talent and lifestyle.
What a waste of career, but earning that much money for sitting on bench and casual golfing during weekends, maybe he is very contented.
I still think theres a player there if hes managed right. He might have lost his pace but im sure his left foot is still a lethal weapon.
Maybe as a 10 behind the striker? Get him closer to goal?
Maybe as a 10 behind the striker? Get him closer to goal?
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won back to back champions leagues
Scored wonder goals on the way
Took Wales to an unprecedented euros campaign
Easily in the top five welsh players ever, probably top and well appreciated.
It’s far far far from a waste of a career, I’d bet a high percentage of footballers would swap their careers for those highs
Got a move to real Madrid
won back to back champions leagues
Scored wonder goals on the way
Took Wales to an unprecedented euros campaign
Easily in the top five welsh players ever, probably top and well appreciated.
It’s far far far from a waste of a career, I’d bet a high percentage of footballers would swap their careers for those highs
He has had a stellar career.. Most players would love to have a career half as good.
Almost 10 years performing at a high level.. playing for the best team in the world at that time. playing alongside the best player in the world. Winning the lot.. Taking Wales to the semi finals of the Euros..
I dont think he has any regrets.. nor should he.
When I grow up, I want to be like Gareth Bale. What a great life.
Funnily enough Gareth Bale is my kids hero, (although Bruno is almost stealing that
) I guess kids are less cynical when it comes to wages and injuries. He just sees a Welsh player from cardiff taking wales to the euros and scoring overhead kicks in champions league finals against the scouse, oh how I would have absolutely loved that career for myself.He is mentally done with football and has been since Madrid treated him like shit.
There is nothing new for him to prove as he has done it all, and no reputation left to maintain as Madrid has wrecked everything.
No motivation. It's a matter of taking care of his body now to make sure he's not hobbling around when he's 80 years old.
There is nothing new for him to prove as he has done it all, and no reputation left to maintain as Madrid has wrecked everything.
No motivation. It's a matter of taking care of his body now to make sure he's not hobbling around when he's 80 years old.
Overrated pace merchant. Could have been a world class left back if his crosses didn't hit the billboards all the time. Love what he did for the Wales NT, but it's mindboggling people wanted him in a United shirt as recently as this season. Had a great career and seems like a nice bloke.
How can people think this guys is overrated?
Arguably the winner of CL football for Madrid and for me he scored the best goal of all time considering the time and goal it was.
He may be done now with his ability to produce the goods at the top end due to his age but people use this excuse for Messi too because he is a shadow of his former self in his home of Spanish football.
Bale is one of my favourite players of the last decade.
Arguably the winner of CL football for Madrid and for me he scored the best goal of all time considering the time and goal it was.
He may be done now with his ability to produce the goods at the top end due to his age but people use this excuse for Messi too because he is a shadow of his former self in his home of Spanish football.
Bale is one of my favourite players of the last decade.
Why would I not think this ? it's 2021, football has evolved, sports science and nutrition has also evolved therefor players are much more capable to play later into there careers, 31 was nearing the end of a footballers career 10 years ago certainly but a player of Bale's ilk should not be calling it quits at 31, granted he has had some crappy injuries in the last few years but if this guy truly wanted it he would adapt his game as all world class players do as they get older and could easily still be fighting for titles in a top team, he clearly though does not want too and thats where it ends, Zlatan/Ronaldo/Messi/Cavani/Saurez etc , all these "older" players have an elite level mentality that keeps them fighting to play at the top level, if you don't have that forget it.
I'm a big fan of people who earn their salary by doing minimal effort. It's how I conducted my working life.
And he probably sees the Euros with Wales as his next big opportunity to enhance his legacy. So he’s happy to take it easy on a fat salary at Spurs making sure he’s in tip top shape for the tournament.
Its a wasted in terms of how much more he could have achieved. His career is basically done at the age of 30.
Well at one point he looks sets to have similar career path as Ronaldo, when he is by far best in PL, then earning world record move to Madrid playing with Ronaldo, and playing a part in winning everything. Individually his best season is still the one in Spur though, he could have achieved far more, at least individually.
He doesn't care about football anymore. He went back to his old club and to play under manager who rates him highly. If that didn't motivated him then i don't know what will.
If going back to Spurs couldn't reignite his hunger, nothing will. I would be surprised if he's still playing at 35.
With the right manager and club still think he could offer something. Not on 650k a week though. He could still be decent for Wales.
Who thought Mourinho would get the best out of him? Totally doomed from day one.
Who thought Mourinho would get the best out of him? Totally doomed from day one.
I can understand why he's nervous about playing when not 100% but Jose hates players who won't put their bodies on the line for the team.