Gareth Bale Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Gareth Bale responds to Wrexham offer

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/28/23

Retired Wales legend Gareth Bale seemingly delivered a definitive response to an offer to play for newly promoted Wrexham AFC next season.

"No, I don't think so," Bale said during an appearance at the FEVO Sport Industry Awards 2023, as shared by ESPN. "I think I was looking more for a free round of golf off Rob.

"I'm sure we'll have a chat and a joke, but I'm quite happy where I am — spending a lot of time with my kids, my wife, time that I've lost so much of over the years being committed to football. I'm just enjoying family life and playing some golf."

Bale was completing an exchange with Rob McElhenney, who owns Wrexham along with fellow Hollywood superstar Ryan Reynolds. McElhenney tweeted he wanted to convince Bale to feature for the Welsh club after it secured promotion from the fifth tier of English football to the English Football League for the first time in 15 years:

Hey @GarethBale11 let’s play golf, where I totally won’t spend 4 hours trying to convince you to un-retire for one last magical season ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FZgXZbM4zx
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) April 25, 2023

Bale teased he could be up to the challenge:

Depends what course ⛳️… @RandA https://t.co/j4xHdXnAzs
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) April 25, 2023

Reynolds then jumped in to tempt Bale with the opportunity to make what would be an emotional return to professional football for at least one more campaign:

I will shave a professional-grade golf course into Rob’s back if you’ll give Wrexham a season. ⛳️
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) April 26, 2023

Bale announced his long-rumored retirement this past winter shortly after he featured for Wales in the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar. Before the start of that tournament, the 33-year-old helped Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC win its first MLS Cup title.

Bale initially became an international superstar during a six-year stint with English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur before he joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2013. He then went on to win five Champions League titles, three La Liga crowns, three Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and one Copa del Rey with the Spanish giants.

After Bale joined LAFC last summer, Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan suggested that the Cardiff native could play for the club during the 2023-24 season. It seems Bale is happy competing only on golf courses at this stage of his life.

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