Man City manager Pep Guardiola says Gareth Bale now has time to become a fantastic golfer after the Welsh forward announced his retirement from professional football as he extended an invitation to tee it up with the striker.
Bale, 33, confirmed he was hanging up his boots on 9 January after a glittering career took him from Southampton to Real Madrid.
The forward is the most-capped player for Wales and the record men's scorer.
Related: Bale brought golf simulator to the World Cup
Bale won five Champions League titles with the Spanish club after a world record transfer to the Bernabéu in 2013.
Announcing his decision on social media, Bale wrote:
Guardiola, speaking to the media on Tuesday, said: "Now he will become a fantastic golf player."
Asked if he will play with Bale, Guardiola said:
"Yeah I was busy, I think so, I think maybe now he will have time. I will invite him again.
WATCH THE CLIP HERE:
"Now he will become a fantastic golf player..."
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 10, 2023
Man City boss Pep Guardiola on Gareth Bale announcing his retirement from football. pic.twitter.com/FPX0T21WIo
Bale was born in Cardiff and began his career at Southampton before he signed for Spurs.
Memorably, there were reports linking "flop" Bale to a move to Birmingham City for the reduced price of $3m.
But he went on to become his country's talisman, leading them to the European Championships on two occasions.
Most recently he captained Wales in their first World Cup since 1958 in Qatar.
Bale scored 41 goals in 111 appearances for the national side.
He signed for Real Madrid for $80m in 2013 and helped Los Blancos win three league titles, five Champions League titles, three Club World Cups, three Uefa Super Cups and one Spanish Cup.
Despite his achievements, Bale was often criticised in the Spanish media and reportedly wasn't highly thought of by manager Zinedine Zidane.
Bale was accused of caring more about golf than football.
His relationship with the club was strained when he celebrated Wales' qualification to the 2020 Euros with a flag containing the words: "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order."
.@GarethBale11's golf swing #CazooOpen pic.twitter.com/jez5KXa5Yc
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 21, 2021
Bale returned to Spurs on loan in the 2021-2022 season and scored 17 goals.
He then joined MLS side Los Angeles FC on a 12-month deal but his time with the American club was blighted by injuries and fitness issues.
Bale said he is now looking forward to a new adventure.
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