Gareth Bale to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Bale fans. Speculation had been rife that Welsh Real Madrid star will announce his retirement from sports, at age 36, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 21/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a footballer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a footballer just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouGareth

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouGareth was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouGareth.”
— @DesireePlum, 20 Mar 2026

“Bale wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 20 Mar 2026

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