Gareth Bale’s bumper net worth: How the Wales football legend racked up MILLIONS throughout his stellar career… and even earned more than £500k-a-week to sit on the BENCH
- Wales legend Gareth Bale has confirmed his shock retirement from football
- In his final playing years he earned a whopping $2.3million per annum in the MLS
- By the end of his Real Madrid career it was reported he earned £554,000-a-week
- READ MORE: Gareth Bale retires LIVE
Football legend Gareth Bale retires from football with a bumper net worth of £119million ($145million).
Before hanging up his boots, the former Welsh international was the 23rd highest earner in the MLS after pocketing a yearly salary of $2.3million from LAFC.
The 33-year-old earned £500,000-a-week sitting on the bench for the final few years at Real Madrid.
Bale copped almost £90million from being a substitute, with £61million coming from matches he appeared in, according to the Daily Star.
Football legend Gareth Bale (pictured) retires from football with a bumper net worth of £119million ($145million)
Bale forged his career in England as a left-back for Southampton and was bought by Spurs for a fee of £5million in 2007.
His breakthrough moment came against reigning Champions League holders Inter Milan, where the young Welshman scored a hat-trick at the San Siro during a 4-3 defeat.
Towards the end of his spell in North London, Bale was reportedly earning £110,000, with the club’s owners keen to double his salary to keep him at the club.
But the lure of Real Madrid in 2013 was too powerful, with Tottenham eventually agreeing to sell him at £85.1m.
The winger played in Madrid for nine years and was earning a whopping £554,000-a-week by the end of his spell.
He was the third highest paid footballer in the world at the time, with his salary only eclipsed by PSG stars Messi and Neymar.
Before hanging his boots up, the former Welsh international was the 23rd highest earner in the MLS after earning $2.3million a year for LAFC
The Welshman wrote a second message addressed directly to Wales fans on Monday before he moved on to the next stage of his ‘life’ and career
On top of that, back in 2014, it was reported he also agreed a £20million, six-year extension to his adidas contract which covered his personal sponsorship.
The news comes after the former Real Madrid star has called an end to his illustrious career which saw him win five Champions Leagues, three LaLigas and three Club World Cups.
Bale, who spent the 2020-21 season at Tottenham on loan, finished his career in the United States with LAFC.
His last match and 11th international appearance came at the Qatar World Cup where his side were thrashed 3-0 by England.
Spanish giants Real Madrid paid £85.1m for Bale in 2013 (Pictured: Bale celebrates after scoring his iconic bicycle-kick against Liverpool in 2018)
The 33-year-old forged his career in England as a left-back for Southampton and was bought by Spurs for a fee of £5million in 2007
His breakthrough moment came against reigning Champions League holders Inter Milan, where the young Welshman scored a hat-trick at the San Siro during a 4-3 defeat
The Welshman penned an emotional post on social media to bid farewell to the fans on Monday afternoon.
The former Tottenham Hotspur winger shared a message, where he refused to rule out working with the Wales national team in the future, which read: ‘After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.’
‘I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life. The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.
‘From my very first touch at Southampton to my last with LAFC and everything in between, shaped a club career that I have an immense pride and gratitude for. Playing for and captaining my country 111 times has truly been a dream come true.
Bale will retired as the most capped player in Wales history – with 111 appearances in total. His last came against England in their 3-0 defeat at the Qatar World Cup
As well as his country’s most capped player, the Welsh winger is also the country’s top goalscorer with his tally (41) just ahead of Ian Rush
‘To show my gratitude to all of those that have played their part along this journey, feels like an impossibility. I feel indebted to many people for helping to change my life and shape my career in a way I couldn’t have ever dreamed of when I first started out at 9 years old
‘To my previous clubs, Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC. All of my previous managers and coaches, back room staff, team mates, all the dedicated fans, my agents, my amazing friends and family, the impact you have had is immeasurable
‘My parents and my sister, without your dedication in those early days, without such a strong foundation, I wouldn’t be writing this statement right now, so thank you for putting me on this path and for your unwavering support.
The veteran forward came off the bench to score one of football’s greatest ever goals in 2018 against Liverpool
Bale went on to become one of best players in the Premier League and became just the third person in history to be crowned PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in the same season (Pictured: Bale was pushed off the pitch by Barcelona’s Marc Bartra but still went on to score)
‘My wife and my children, your love and support has carried me through. Right beside me for all the highs and lows, keeping me grounded along the way. You inspire me to be better, and to make you proud.
‘So, I move on with anticipation to the next stage of my life. A time of change and transition, an opportunity for a new adventure.’
The winger posted a second message shortly after, addressed to Wales fans. He said: ‘To my Welsh family… My decision to retire from International football has been, by far the hardest of my career.
‘How do I describe what being a part of this country and team means to me? How do I articulate the impact it has had on my life? How do I put in to words the way I felt, every single time I put on that Welsh shirt?
‘My answer is that I couldn’t possibly do any of those things justice, simply with words. But I know that every person involved in Welsh football, feels the magic, and is impacted in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel, without using any words at all.
‘I am honoured and humbled to have been able to play a part in the history of this incredible country, to have felt the support and passion of the red wall, and together have been to unexpected and amazing places.
‘I shared a dressing room with boys that became brothers, and back room staff that became family, I played for the most incredible managers, and felt the undying support and love from the most dedicated fans in the world. Thank you to every one of you for being on this journey with me.
‘So for now I am stepping back, but not away from the team that lives in me and runs through my veins. After all, the dragon on my shirt is all I need.’
Bale will retire as the nation’s top goalscorer and the most capped player in Welsh history.
After enduring a difficult start to life in north London, failing to win in his first 24 matches, Bale shot to stardom during his six years at White Hart Lane.
He went on to become one of best players in the Premier League and became just the third person in history to be crowned PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in the same season.
READ MORE:
Gareth Bale immediately RETIRES from football at 33, seven months after signing for LAFC and six weeks after he vowed he would not walk out on Wales, as he hints at coaching job
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‘We all know who the real Parasite is!’: Gareth Bale fires back at Marca after the Spanish paper accused him of ‘sucking’ Real Madrid’s money in an astonishing attack… branding the story ‘slanderous, derogatory and speculative’
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