Social media has been lavishing praise on Gareth Bale after he announced his shock retirement from professional football at the age of 33.
The legendary winger enjoyed an incredible career across spells with Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and LAFC, while he also carried the weight of an entire nation as he led Wales to unprecedented success at International level.
With Bale at the forefront of everything, Wales qualified for three consecutive major tournaments - sesnationally reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016 before returning to the World Cup in late 2022 after an absence of 64 years.
"I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love," Bale said in a statement confirming his retirement from the game.
But the biggest amount of love is what supporters across the world have felt for Bale for the best part of 15 years - a gamechanger of a player capable of the utterly ridiculous and one you would always, always want on your team when it really mattered.
Time and time again Bale delivered on the big stage, and he'll forever be remembered for his heroics in the finals of the Champions League and Copa del Rey among many other outstanding moments.
Here's some of the best tributes to Bale from Twitter.
Reaction to Gareth Bale's retirement from football
I've never seen another player run around defenders like a 100m sprinter. I've never expected another player to bail out his own team with a 30-yard scorcher every single week.
— Sean Walsh (@SeanDZWalsh) January 9, 2023
Gareth Bale, one of my favourite ever footballers, an undeniable icon in Tottenham's modern history. https://t.co/vH8yR9O8fP
He’s retired. He gave Welsh fans moments we never thought we’d have. He’s the best we’ve produced in 147 years of Welsh international football. I never got to see John Charles in action, but I got to see plenty of Bale. Diolch, Gareth https://t.co/3ppIZwjGYA
— Elis James (@elisjames) January 9, 2023
We’ll always have this moment.
— Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) January 9, 2023
Diolch @GarethBale11 🏴 pic.twitter.com/mc9wA6hC0X
Tears in my eyes for the player that allowed us to live the dream alongside him.
— Beth Fisher (@BethFisherSport) January 9, 2023
Diolch Gareth Bale for everything you have done for Cymru & beyond❤️🏴 https://t.co/BZZRPX2zZO
Growing up with a season ticket at White Hart Lane, watching Bale’s rise to the top as a kid is something I’ll never forget and treasure for the rest of my life.
— Will Furness (@w_furness1) January 9, 2023
An unbelievable career. Thank you for everything Bale. 💙 https://t.co/Ibk2W0ydK3
Gareth Bale’s last-ever club professional goal: An equalizer in MLS Cup in the 128th (!!) minute.
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 9, 2023
LAFC would lift the cup after penalties. Bale then scored at the World Cup with Wales.pic.twitter.com/uP3pP0Yot3
Forever a champion.
— LAFC (@LAFC) January 9, 2023
Forever a legend.
Forever Black & Gold.
Congrats on a historic career, @GarethBale11. 👏
Gareth Bale has officially announced his retirement from football.
— Tom Young (@TomYoungSJ) January 9, 2023
Arguably the most underrated player of this generation, one of the greatest I’ve seen in the flesh without a doubt.
I doubt we will ever see a better goal in a UCL final than this…
pic.twitter.com/gXCyPkBDVM
What a bloody hero and what a great career.
— Betty Glover (@BettyGlover_) January 9, 2023
Gareth Bale has announced his immediate retirement from football for club and country 🏴 https://t.co/vdqowzo4KA
The greatest we will ever see ❤
— TheWelshDragon 🏴🐉 (@TheWelshDragon9) January 9, 2023
Diolch yn fawr Gareth Bale 👑
You made dreams become reality 🏴 pic.twitter.com/vRNTMW0jn7
Gareth Bale made me fall in love with the beautiful game and will always be my favorite footballer of all time.
— Danny (@DannyAaronsFUT) January 9, 2023
Happy retirement king 👑🏴 pic.twitter.com/XH2UCuqq8J
Gareth Bale won 5 European Cups. One can only dream. What an unbelievable career.
— Ben Kelly (@bkelly776) January 9, 2023
Gareth Bale has retired from football aged 33!
— Dexerto FC (@DexertoFC) January 9, 2023
A legend 🏴pic.twitter.com/AOFiIrn9km
An absolute hero. The greatest Welsh footballer there's ever been who has played a big part in transforming the game in our country.
— Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) January 9, 2023
Thank you @GarethBale11 ❤️🏴 https://t.co/8acLWBY0Dv
🏆 Gareth Bale's trophy haul:
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 9, 2023
🇪🇸 La Liga 🏆🏆🏆
🇪🇸 Copa Del Rey 🏆
🇪🇸 Supercopa de España 🏆
🇪🇺 Champions League 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
🇪🇺 UEFA Super Cup 🏆🏆🏆
🗺️ FIFA Club World Cup 🏆🏆🏆
🇺🇸 MLS Cup 🏆
🇺🇸 Supporters' Shield 🏆
🥵 Gareth Bale has today announced his decision to retire! pic.twitter.com/wl8qujEPPD
Congrats @GarethBale11 on an unbelievable career. The best player I have played with and the best ever for wales 🏴 thank you for everything, enjoy the rest and whatever you do next mate⚽️ Legend!!!! pic.twitter.com/BQL2dhqlTD
— Adam Matthews (@Adam2Matthews) January 9, 2023
Gareth Bale couldn’t even be arsed with club football for the last chunk of his career but could still score goals like this. Absolute freak. What a player pic.twitter.com/Y2M7ECvkrz
— Mitch (@mitchwilks) January 9, 2023
Source : 90min