Tottenham icon Gareth Bale reveals true family reason for quitting football

Gareth Bale announced his retirement from football in January 2023, just weeks after captaining Wales at the World Cup, and has now opened up on the reasons behind his decision

Tottenham icon Gareth Bale has opened up about the deeply personal reason behind his surprising decision to hang up his boots at the age of 33.

The Wales legend sent shockwaves through the football world when he announced his retirement in January 2023, just weeks after Wales' early departure from the World Cup in Qatar. While Bale initially described feeling "fortunate" and spoke of fulfilling his ambitions, he has now disclosed that a much more profound factor influenced his choice.

In an interview with the magazine GQ, Bale revealed that his father Frank's deteriorating health brought about a fundamental reassessment of his priorities beyond the beautiful game.

"My dad got ill and that played a massive role in my decision," he said. "People don't know what anyone's going through at home, but I soon realised there's more to life than just football."

Discussing the significance of loved ones, he added: "Our kids, our life, our marriage, our family, our friends, these things are most important. The things you were so worried about in football I now look back and laugh at it but at the time you get anxious, you get nervous, you don't enjoy it."

The 36-year-old had recently celebrated MLS Cup glory with LAFC, adding another trophy to an illustrious career that featured five Champions League triumphs, a world-record move to Real Madrid, and becoming Wales' record goalscorer and most-capped male international.

Looking back on his remarkable journey, he acknowledged certain unfulfilled aspirations, including elevating Wales to greater heights internationally, yet maintained he has no lingering disappointments about stepping away. "I achieved so much," he said.

"Playing in a World Cup was the last thing I wanted to do. After that, I didn't feel like I had anything else left to achieve. It didn't go amazingly well for us, but it was the first time in 64 years. After that, I didn't feel like I had anything else left to achieve, goal-wise."

During the interview, Bale also tackled persistent Madrid controversies, particularly claims surrounding his alleged golf obsession. He maintained he "never played that much", only venturing out "once every two or three weeks" during rest days.

He attributes his ability to handle the intense media pressure during challenging periods in Spain - when sections of Real Madrid supporters and press turned against him - to his father, Frank.

"My dad is very strong," he said. "The way he and my mum brought me up was like "no b******t". They sacrificed a lot when I was growing up, travelling and giving up their weekends.

"It's something I only understand now I'm a parent doing it with my son. But if I went to a game and I didn't try, Dad was like, you can play s**t. I don't care. You can play amazing. I don't care. But if you don't try, that's not acceptable. I say it to my son now, he is only seven but trying is the only thing I require from you.

"It teaches you a lifelong lesson. You can't just give up when you don't like it or things aren't going well."

Bale concluded his illustrious career with a loan spell at Spurs during the Covid-impacted season, followed by a stint in the MLS, before hanging up his boots as arguably the finest footballer Wales has ever produced; 40 goals in 111 appearances and countless unforgettable moments on the world stage.

Transitioning into media work with TNT Sports and CBS, Bale is relishing his post-football life and appreciates that he chose the right moment to retire for both himself and his family.