Gareth Bale

Retired Welsh footballer · age 37

Gareth Bale photo

life in chapters

6 milestones from birth to now, with Gareth's age at every one.

1980s

  1. Birth

    Born July 16, 1989

2010s

  1. age 24 Career milestone

    Joins Real Madrid for a then world-record fee

    signing

    Bale transferred from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid for a reported world-record fee of around EUR 100 million.

  2. age 24 Award

    Scores in the 2014 Champions League final

    winner

    Bale scored in extra time as Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid to win the club's tenth European Cup, the first of his five Champions League titles.

  3. age 28 Award

    Overhead kick lights up the 2018 Champions League final

    winner

    Bale came off the bench to score twice, including a celebrated bicycle kick, as Real Madrid beat Liverpool to win the Champions League.

2020s

  1. age 32 Career milestone

    Leads Wales to their first World Cup since 1958

    captain

    Captain Bale converted the decisive playoff against Ukraine to send Wales to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, their first appearance in 64 years.

  2. age 33 Career milestone

    Announces retirement from football

    self

    Bale announced his retirement from club and international football, ending a career as Wales' all-time record cap-holder and goalscorer.

age 37 now

Still going