Wales's greatest footballer — four Champions Leagues with Real Madrid and the overhead kick heard around the world.
Gareth Frank Bale was born in Cardiff, Wales in 1989. Southampton developed him before Tottenham signed him in 2007. His Spurs years transformed him from full-back to the Premier League's most explosive attacking threat — culminating in winning consecutive PFA Players' Player of the Year awards in 2011 and 2013. Real Madrid paid £85 million — then the world record — in 2013. His nine Madrid seasons produced four Champions Leagues. His overhead kick in the 2018 Champions League Final against Liverpool — a goal immediately placed among the greatest ever scored — came from a substitute appearance and won the match 3-1. He scored 106 goals for Madrid. He became one of Welsh football's most significant figures — his investment in Welsh football infrastructure and his performances in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup — Wales's first in 64 years — elevated him to national icon status. He famously raised a flag reading Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order during a World Cup qualifying celebration — a summary of his Real Madrid relationship in one image.
Scoring in two Champions League finals and bicycle kick goal vs Liverpool
How They Played
Explosive pace, powerful left foot, long-range shooting, set-piece specialist
Lasting Impact
Greatest Welsh player of all time who elevated Wales to major tournaments
Career Honours
- Champions League 4x (2014,2016,2018,2022)
- La Liga 2x
- Premier League (2013)
- World Cup qualifying hero (Wales 2022)
- Champions League 2014
- Champions League 2016
- Champions League 2017
- Champions League 2018
- La Liga 2017
- La Liga 2020
- La Liga 2022
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | 2006–2007 | 40 | 74 | #9 |
| Tottenham | 2007–2013 | 203 | 56 | — |
| Real Madrid | 2013–2022 | 258 | 106 | — |
| LAFC | 2022–2023 | 14 | 2 | — |
 Wales | — | 111 | 41 | — |