Where will Bale prepare for the World Cup? He may spend the last six months of his career in the second league

Five-time Champions League winner, scorer of two winning goals in the Millionaire’s Cup final. Author of 221 goals in professional football and captain of Wales. All of this is Gareth Bale, who at 32 has the last six months of a storied career ahead of him. And he’s deciding where to finish it.

That Bale’s love of football has faded is no great secret. One of the world’s best strikers in 2014-2018, he has become over-saturated with success, much more interested in golf, and often “faked” injuries in Madrid just to avoid having to play a game.

But it’s a different story when the national break comes. Bale is willing to die on the pitch for his country, so he always looks incredibly good in the national team jersey.

After last season, his contract at Real Madrid expired and Bale will become a free agent. There were earlier reports from his entourage that the 32-year-old footballer would retire and try to make it in golf. But the rescheduled World Cup has complicated his plans.

Instead of taking place in June, it won’t be played until November/December and Bale has virtually single-handedly dragged Wales to the championship in Qatar. In March, he first knocked out Austria with two goals in a 2-1 win in the barrage, and at the weekend he knocked out Ukraine with a goal that was eventually recognised as an own goal.

The postponed end of his career

When asked by reporters after the match whether he would delay the end of his career if he qualified for the World Cup, Bale replied That’s how he was supposedly set up from the start. If he does not qualify for the World Cup, he will end his career, if he qualifies, he will find a club where he will stay for six months.

And where would that be? Don’t expect any more big names. Taking a 32 year old player on a huge salary whose interest in club football is virtually nil, no big club will go for that anymore.

That’s why the biggest favourite to get Bale is home-grown Cardiff City. The team from the capital of Wales plays in the Championship, the second highest English competition. Last season they finished 18th out of 24 teams. Cardiff last appeared in the Premier League in the 2018/19 season.

Other teams that have been linked with Bale include Southampton and Swansea. Bale has kick-started his career at Saints and this would be a big return. Swansea, on the other hand, would be looking to lure Bale to his home in Wales.

There is also talk of teams in the MLS, as well as one very surprising option. Wrexham, a team from the Welsh National League, are interested in Bale’s arrival. It is the oldest Welsh football club.

Source: MARCA, Sky Sports