Gareth Bale | Golfer, ex-Footballer, Elbower of racists, Philosopher, Golf Ambassador, Bar Owner, Real Legend, Defibrillator

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

[

Got a move to real Madrid
won back to back champions leagues
Scored wonder goals on the way
Took Wales to an unprecedented euros campaign
Easily in the top five welsh players ever, probably top and well appreciated.

It’s far far far from a waste of a career, I’d bet a high percentage of footballers would swap their careers for those highs

very Debatable to day prob no 1 Welsh player.

John Charles.

However, agree with everything else.

with today’s scrutiny, it’s sad to see someone fade. But at United we have our own great players fall from grace at a youngish age (for a number of reasons).

it’s not uncommon - just that the timing of that contract from Real Madrid was spectacularly bad. However, they had numerous opportunities to move him on and got greedy. So feck em.

 

[giorno]

Not sure Bale has good seasons rather than good moments. He's a highlight reel and that is it.

He had a couple great seasons for spurs, one great season for us(the first) a great half season(because injuries) and one truly spectacular half year(2016) where he genuinely looked like possibly the best player in the world

Also a good season for spurs and one for us(though that one was a disappointment, because good isn't enough when you reach that level of expectation and money)

He's been done as a world class player since Kiev though. That was the last hurrah for him

 

[GhastlyHun]

I'm a big fan of people who earn their salary by doing minimal effort. It's how I conducted my working life.

Interested in starting a fan club for me?

 

[Grinner]

Interested in starting a fan club for me?

Can't be arsed, I'm going for a stroll.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

He had a couple great seasons for spurs, one great season for us(the first) a great half season(because injuries) and one truly spectacular half year(2016) where he genuinely looked like possibly the best player in the world

Also a good season for spurs and one for us(though that one was a disappointment, because good isn't enough when you reach that level of expectation and money)

He's been done as a world class player since Kiev though. That was the last hurrah for him

I get what you mean. I was more getting at the goals he scored in CL finals for you and the great season he had for Spurs in the CL that got him the move to Real. He seems completely demotivated now which is a shame, as other have said he might not have the pace he had but you do not lose the ability for passing and crossing.

 

[GhastlyHun]

Can't be arsed, I'm going for a stroll.

I respect that.

 

[Eriku]

It’s game over once you reach that point, happened to so many players. Years of constant niggling injuries lead them to believe that they always feel something and that it’s better to rest it rather than risk injury. Problem is, as a professional sportsman, you’re very rarely going to feel 100% for long spells.
He’s done.

That’s what happened with Saha for us.

 

[Zlatan 7]

very Debatable to day prob no 1 Welsh player.

John Charles.

However, agree with everything else.

with today’s scrutiny, it’s sad to see someone fade. But at United we have our own great players fall from grace at a youngish age (for a number of reasons).

it’s not uncommon - just that the timing of that contract from Real Madrid was spectacularly bad. However, they had numerous opportunities to move him on and got greedy. So feck em.

Yes John Charles would be number one and I can imagine my gramp giving me a slap for even suggesting it was Bale and not Charles

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Yes John Charles would be number one and I can imagine my gramp giving me a slap for even suggesting it was Bale and not Charles

not a bad caliber of player to be second too mind!

 

[clarkydaz]

Similar to Sturridge at Liverpool, Klopp got so frustrated he pretty much questioned whether its just in his head

 

[Zen]

Two world class wingers from the last decade.. Robben and Ribery. both had injuries. both played into their mid 30s at a top level. Both incredible.

Each case is different.. the injuries might have taken a lot out of Bale.. but wingers do play into the 30s at a high level.. its not exactly unheard of.

They weren't that incredible past 31/32 either actually.... and Bayern is the luxury of luxury teams to get away with playing half a season for really. Bale would get similar numbers if played for them and coasted to titles and cup contention, well them or PSG, but it shouldn't be seen as a surprise that they were CL contenders again once they left...

Robben's just generally a better player than Bale(and Ribery) though, so had the better highlights.

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

Sooner or later they will have a fight during a match or in the training

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Ish]

Thread should be moved to “other sport”

 

[GifLord]

Sooner or later they will have a fight during a match or in the training

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Wait all this drama cause of that post?

wth

 

[MattofManchester]

He gives moments that remind you of just how good he was. But that's all. They're usually just one moment all he, and then disappears.

Seems like he should retire at this point. His fall from grace has been extreme.

 

[The Purley King]

He gives moments that remind you of just how good he was. But that's all. They're usually just one moment all he, and then disappears.

Seems like he should retire at this point. His fall from grace has been extreme.

He still has ~18 months left on a £600k per week contract.
Do you really think he will retire right now? And cost himself £10.8m plus all the associated loyalty bonuses ?
I bet he can buy some nice tailor made clubs with that sort of dough

 

[UnofficialDevil]

He still has ~18 months left on a £600k per week contract.
Do you really think he will retire right now? And cost himself £10.8m plus all the associated loyalty bonuses ?
I bet he can buy some nice tailor made clubs with that sort of dough

unbelievable.. insane money

 

[Paxi]

What a waste of career, but earning that much money for sitting on bench and casual golfing during weekends, maybe he is very contented.

Pretty bizarre take. He had an immense career. Longevity is just one part of a career. He had won everything at club level and has reached a very high level of football.

 

[clarkydaz]

He still has ~18 months left on a £600k per week contract.
Do you really think he will retire right now? And cost himself £10.8m plus all the associated loyalty bonuses ?
I bet he can buy some nice tailor made clubs with that sort of dough

Think i saw him break into a sprint tonight. probably a bonus for that aswell

 

[Luke1995]

Big question: If he doesn't play regularly, will he still get picked for Wales ?

There will be players in a good footballing moment, on the outside looking in, desperate for their chance.

 

[antsmithmk]

He still has ~18 months left on a £600k per week contract.
Do you really think he will retire right now? And cost himself £10.8m plus all the associated loyalty bonuses ?
I bet he can buy some nice tailor made clubs with that sort of dough

You've done the maths wrong...

18 months x 4 weeks x 600k per week = 43 million quid plus change.

Should set him up nicely for retirement...

 

[antsmithmk]

unbelievable.. insane money

X4 that actually. That is insane

 

[GoldanoGraham]

cast your minds back to September when people were wetting themselves when he signed for Spurs and everyone was fornicating at the Spurs front 3 of Kane, Son and Bale....

Very pleased that we dodged this bullet - in the recent past we may have taken him on loan, probably picking up his full salary.....

what he is earning now on his current performance/effort is nothing more than daylight robbery......

 

[Chesterlestreet]

John Charles

Bale is behind Giggs too.

Peak can always be debated, and Bale's resume includes four CL titles. But he's the anti-Giggs in terms of longevity.

 

[UncleBob]

Difficult not to laugh
https://www.skysports.com/football/...nt-bale-not-playing-due-to-twilight-of-career

 

[USREDEVIL]

cast your minds back to September when people were wetting themselves when he signed for Spurs and everyone was fornicating at the Spurs front 3 of Kane, Son and Bale....

Very pleased that we dodged this bullet - in the recent past we may have taken him on loan, probably picking up his full salary.....

what he is earning now on his current performance/effort is nothing more than daylight robbery......

I recall the near circle jerk of posters literally soiling the website with their...ok I'll stop.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Bale is behind Giggs too.

Peak can always be debated, and Bale's resume includes four CL titles. But he's the anti-Giggs in terms of longevity.

I agree with you, but it’s debatable, many wouldn’t.

 

[Isotope]

Have to admit, i got this wrong. Thought that he and Spurs could be like Henrik Larsson with Barca. A super-sub that could make a difference in those last 30 minutes, when the team needed a bit of spark.

 

[Glorio]

Has he been played as a CF at Spurs at all? (When Kane was injured maybe?). He may be more suited to make an impact there at this stage of his career

 

[Ayoba]

Its clear Bale has decline, that much is obvious to anyone and its only natural as a player ages. The problem is that he checked out a few years ago at Mardid and not only was he not training well or playing well, mentally I think he wasn't there any more. Now, you can't go from that to all of a sudden turning it on just because you moved to a new club. At the very top level, even a small drop in mentality results in poor performances. But from Bale's perspective, he just has no desire, no motivation etc.

 

[sun_tzu]

Inter Miami for a couple of seasons?... some good golfing out in Florida

Does not look to have much of a future in top flight European football but I believe he has around 70 weeks left on about half a million quid a week so probably another season sitting in the stands at Madrid next year before

 

[el3mel]

So what ? Is he regaining form out of nowhere ? His numbers last few games have been on the up.

 

[The_Midfielder]

So what ? Is he regaining form out of nowhere ? His numbers last few games have been on the up.

Euros !!!

 

[balaks]

So what ? Is he regaining form out of nowhere ? His numbers last few games have been on the up.

He has finally regained fitness and sharpness. Class is permanent.

 

[balaks]

Euros !!!

If his leg fell off he would still get picked for wales

 

[Feed Me]

He has finally regained fitness and sharpness. Class is permanent.

Don’t do it to yourself

 

[DWelbz19]

He has finally regained fitness and sharpness. Class is permanent.

Mmm.

 

[harms]

His left peg is still magical and he'll pop up with moments of pure genius from time to time but I doubt that this is a beginning of a genuine redemption story.

 

[Eugenius]

He has finally regained fitness and sharpness. Class is permanent.

He's looked quality on the ball, but Burnley gave him all the space in the world.

 

[golden_blunder]

He looked really sharp today, not just the goals but his pace and his passing was very crisp. Linked up well with Kane and son. IF they could keep his physical and mental health fit they might have a strong finish to the season