Football player Gareth Bale has announced his retirement.

One of the most illustrious careers in British football history came to an end on Monday as 33-year-old Gareth Bale announced his retirement from club and international competition.

Bale, who set a record with 111 games for Wales, helped his nation emerge from a footballing wasteland to win two European Championships, including the Euro 2016 semifinals, and its first World Cup since 1958.

On November 29, during Wales' World Cup group-stage match against England, the Los Angeles FC forward, who had previously played for Southampton, Tottenham, and Real Madrid, made his final appearance in a competitive match.

Bale posted a statement on his social media pages saying, "After serious and thorough contemplation, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football."

"I feel tremendously lucky to have had my goal of participating in the sport I love realised.

I can honestly say that it has given me some of my finest times in life. That will be hard to repeat, no matter what the next chapter has for me. It was the highest of highs spanning 17 seasons.

Before joining to Real Madrid in 2013, where he won five Champions League championships, Bale established himself in the Premier League with Tottenham.

The forward moved to Los Angeles FC in June 2022, and during his brief stay in America, he won the MLS Cup.

"Everything in between, from my very first touch at Southampton to my very last with LAFC, created a club career for which I have the utmost gratitude and pride."

It feels impossible, he said, to express my thanks to every

I owe a lot of individuals for changing my life and influencing my profession in ways I never could have imagined when I first began out at the age of nine.

LAFC gave their star forward homage.

Gareth gave a lot to our club, and we want to thank him for that, said LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington.

He came to LA with the intention of winning championships, and, like he has done throughout his career, he was successful.

It was an honour to see one of his generation's most gifted, charismatic, and entertaining players end his career with a championship for LAFC.

one who has contributed to this adventure.