Gareth Bale Considering Retirement after the European Championships

Gareth Bale is considering retirement after the 2021 UEFA European Championships, according to a report from Onda Cero.

After the end of 2020-2021 league season, Bale released some cryptic remarks regarding his future. When questioned on it further, he said his mind is only on Wales.

“I know what I’m going to do. I’m fully focused on the Euros,” Bale told Sky Sports. “I don’t need any distractions going into it, nor during the tournament. I’m fully focused 110 per cent on Wales. That’s all my mind is on. I don’t want to cause any problems anywhere because I know things can get mixed in the media and people start making headlines. My sole focus is on Wales this Euros and nothing else. Anything else about my career, my future, will be sorted after.”

His compatriot and teammate at Tottenham Hotspur, Joel Rondon, was asked about Bale’s potential retirement plans and scoffed at just the mention of it, “No chance he retires!” Rondon responded to Sky Sports. “It’s all on Gareth and I’ve got nothing to do with that, but none of us at Wales want him anywhere near retirement and we want him for as long as possible.”

With one year still remaing on his lucrative contract, Bale would have to be willing to give up a salary in the range of 18-21 million euros for the final year. The recent appointment of Carlo Ancelotti may persuade the Wales international to see out the last year of his deal. Either way, the former Tottenham Hotspur loanee should have his future resolved after the Euro 2021 tournament ends.