Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from football. The Welshman spent nine fruitful years at Real Madrid, winning five Champions League, three La Liga and one Spanish Cup titles.
The 33-year-old made 258 appearances for the Whites, scoring 106 goals. His later years at the Bernabeu were marred by controversies and injuries, but he is and will always be a Madrid legend.
Here we take a trip down memory lane to recall Bale's best moments in the Whites shirt...
30 October 2013, Madrid
The beginning of Bale's journey at Madrid wasn't an easy one, as he struggled in his first weeks at the club. In particular, the Welshman was criticised for a poor display against Barcelona on October 26 in a 2-1 defeat.
In just four days after the Clasico defeat, the winger scored two goals and assisted further two in Madrid's stunning 7-3 victory against Sevilla. This was arguably the first time Madrid fans saw how good Bale can be.
Unfortunately we can't show the highlights of that game here but you can watch it on YouTube!
16 April 2014, Valencia
Bale will be remembered for delivering in clutch moments — and the first of those came when Madrid took on Barca in the Spanish Cup final at Mestalla.
The Welshman scored a brilliant goal in the 85th minute to win his first trophy with the Whites, making an iconic sprint which at some point was off the pitch. We all feel sorry for the Catalans' defender Marc Bartra who just couldn't do anything with Gareth's pace!
A graphic of Bale's run:
24 May 2014, Lisbon
This is arguably the most important goal of Bale's career at Madrid — the forward ended the Whites' 12-year wait for La Decima, the tenth Champions League title.
Madrid faced city rivals Atletico in the Champions League final, the score was 1-1 after regulation time and it was Bale who gave the Whites the lead in the 110th minute, heading the ball into the net from a point-blank range. Ancelotti's men ended up destroying Atleti in the remaining ten minutes, winning the game 4-1.
Here's all goals from that game:
26 May 2018, Kyiv
Real Madrid faced Liverpool at the Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, in the 2018 Champions League final.
Bale was named Man of the Match as the Whites defeated Jurgen Klopp's men 3-1 — the Welshman scored two goals, becoming the first-ever player to bag a brace in a Champions League final.
Gareth's bicycle kick is arguably the most beautiful goal in a Champions League final, while the 40-yard screamer that sealed Madrid's triumph isn't bad either.
More of that bicycle kick from different angles:
9 February 2019, Madrid
Bale will be remembered for his clutch goals but this moment isn't one. Of course, he scored Madrid's third goal to beat Atletico 3-1 away, but it was his celebration that remains one of his most iconic moments in the Whites' shirt.
The Welshman trolled Atleti, displaying a sign that's considered offensive in Spain. Epic shithousery from Gareth:
Happy retirement, Gareth!
What are your best Bale memories, Madridistas? Tell us in the comments!
