GARETH BALE 'CONSIDERING RETIREMENT' THIS SUMMER

 

Gareth Bale is reportedly giving serious thought to hanging up his boots this summer, after he plays for Wales at Euro 2020.

Bale spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Tottenham and it had been expected he would go back to Real Madrid following the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti earlier in the week.

This, though, may not be the case, with Marca now suggesting the Welshman may opt to call time on his playing days instead of returning to the Spanish capital.

Bale is only 31 and has another year to run on his contract in Madrid, but Marca claims they have been able to confirm that he is seriously considering retirement. The report adds that 'unless something changes' this will happen when the Euros end in a matter of weeks.

Bale joined Real from Spurs in 2013, replacing Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's most expensive player in the process. He scored in the Decima-clinching Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in his first season in Spain, going on to win three consecutive European titles between 2016 and 2018.

Rumours of a strained relationship with Zinedine Zidane saw him return to Spurs on loan a year ago after a move to China collapsed.

Zidane left his position as Real manager recently, with Ancelotti returning to the club from Everton during the week.

Bale will captain Wales at the Euros, having played a leading role in their run to the semi-finals in France in 2016. They begin their tournament against Switzerland in Baku next Saturday.