Gareth Bale

At 34 years old, Gareth Bale has this physical status:

Gareth Frank Bale (born 16 July 1989) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a winger for Spanish club Real Madrid and the Wales national team.

Renowned for his ball striking from distance, swerving free kicks, and his ability to get past defenders with pace, Bale has received plaudits from his peers, who have described him as a footballer with "tremendous speed, great crossing ability, a great left foot and exceptional physical qualities". He began his professional career at Southampton, playing at left-back and earning acclaim as a free kick specialist.

Bale moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2007, for an eventual £7 million fee.

During his time at Tottenham, managerial and tactical shifts saw him transform into a more attacking player.

From the 2009–10 season, under the guidance of Harry Redknapp, Bale became an integral part of the team, rising to international attention during the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League.

In 2011 and 2013 he was named PFA Players' Player of the Year, and was named in the UEFA Team of the Year.

In 2013, he was also named PFA Young Player of the Year, the FWA Footballer of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season.

He was nominated to the PFA Team of the Year three times in a row between 2011 and 2013. On 1 September 2013, Bale was transferred to Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee.

Press at the time reported the transfer value at figures between €91 million and €100 million.

In January 2016, documents pertaining to the transfer were leaked which confirmed a then-world record transfer fee of €100.8 million, eclipsing the previous record fee of £80 million (€94 million) the club paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

Bale played an integral role in his first season at Real Madrid, helping the club to win the 2013–14 Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League, scoring in both finals.

The following season, he won the UEFA Super Cup and scored in a third major final to help the club win the FIFA Club World Cup.

Two years later, he was a key player in another Champions League run, winning the 2015–16 title and being elected to the UEFA Squad of the Season.

He was also a finalist in the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.

In 2016, ESPN ranked Bale twelfth on its list of the world's most famous athletes. Bale made his senior international debut for Wales in May 2006, becoming the youngest player at that point to represent the nation.

He has since earned over 80 caps and scored 33 international goals, making him Wales' highest scorer of all time.

He was the top goalscorer for Wales in their successful qualifying campaign for UEFA Euro 2016, scoring seven goals; he subsequently represented his nation in the final tournament as they reached the semi-finals, scoring three goals.

He has been named Welsh Footballer of the Year a record six times.

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Early life and career

Bale was born in Cardiff, Wales, to parents Frank, a school watchtaker, and Debbie Bale, an operations manager. He is the nephew of former Cardiff City footballer Chris Pike. He attended Eglwys Newyd Primary School in Whitchurch. He first caught Southampton's attention at age nine when he first appeared in a six-a-side tournament for his first club, Cardiff Civil Service. Ryan Giggs, a Welshman and Manchester United player, was his footballing hero as he grew up.

Bale attended Whitchurch High School in Cardiff. He was a keen sportsman; he played rugby, hockey, and athletics with future Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton. He claims he completed the 100-meter dash in 11.4 seconds as a 14-year-old boy. Due to his outstanding football knowledge, Gwyn Morris, the school's PE instructor, had to write special rules limiting Bale to playing one-touch football and not using his left foot.

In the presentation, Morris commented:

Club career

Bale made his debut against Millwall on April 17, 2006, when he was 16 years old and 275 days old). Bale's first league goal, a free kick, got him to 1–1 against Derby County on August 6th. Pride Park's final score was 2–2.

He scored in the team's second game of the 2006–07 season against Coventry City at St Mary's again with another free kick. Bale's reputation as a free kick specialist only increased when he struck the post against West Bromwich Albion. Bale's goal total number had risen to five by December 16, 2006, thanks to a late equalizer against Sunderland and free kicks away from Hull City and home to Norwich City.

He received the Carwyn James Award for the BBC Wales Young Sports Personality of the Year in December 2006, and was named the Football League Young Player of the Year on March 4, 2007. This culminated in what was described as a "most creative" first full season as a Saints' "most creative player in which he played) from the left-back position, though his defense improved immeasurably as the season progressed, as his defense improved immeasurably as the season progressed.

Southampton's last game against Derby County on May 12th was in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals. Bale suffered an injury in the second half, preventing him from participating in the second leg. In total, he made 45 appearances for Southampton, scoring five goals.

Bale and Tottenham Hotspur agreed to a four-year deal in 2007 with the club's bill potentially increasing to £10 million based on appearances and success.

Bale played his first game for Spurs against St. Patrick's Athletic on July 12, 2007, but he was forced to leave early in the 80th minute due to a minor dead leg. On August 26, Tottenham Hotspur made his competitive debut against Manchester United. In a 3–3 draw with Fulham on September 1, 2007, he scored his first Spurs goal for the club in his second appearance. Bale scored against Arsenal in the North London derby from a free kick. He scored against Middlesbrough in the League Cup home tie.

Bale was suspended after suffering an injury in the league match against Birmingham City on December 2, 2007. Bale had ligament damage to his right ankle, limiting him to a lengthy time on the sidelines, according to a scan. Bale underwent exploratory surgery on December 11th. Bale was expected to miss the remainder of the season due to injury in February 2008. "Even if the examination results show that Gareth's foot is healthy, the decision has been made to bring him back slowly to ensure he does not suffer any more injuries"" should be avoided." Gareth is clearly distraught to be sidelined for this long time, but he is still young and we must do what is right for him in the long run."

Bale returned to action in August 2008, the month after he agreed to a new four-year contract with the club, and the club went on to make 30 appearances in all competitions this season. In a 2–1 loss at Stoke City in October 2008, he earned his first red card in his career. He appeared in the League Cup final against Manchester United this season. Bale came off the bench in the 98th minute in extra time, with the final result deadlocked at 0–0, resulting in a penalty shoot-out that ended 4–1 to Manchester United.

Bale underwent knee surgery in June 2009, effectively ending his life for more than two months. He missed pre-season games and was forecast that he would miss the first few weeks of the 2009–2010 season. In Tottenham's 5–0 win over Burnley, he made his comeback as an 85th-minute substitute on September 26th. Bale's first appearance in a Premier League win was his first since being on the winning team since the Southampton move. However, he struggled to join the first team in part thanks to Benoit Assou-Ekotto's solid form. Assou-Ekotto was sidelined due to an injury, Spurs' FA Cup third-round 4–0 victory over Peterborough United gave Bale a chance. In a 2–0 win over London rivals Fulham on 26 January 2010, he was his first victory as a starter in a league match.

Bale's good form continued, and he was named Player of the Round after leading Spurs to a 3–1 victory in the FA Cup's sixth round replay against Fulham. Bale's winning goal in a 2–1 win over Arsenal in April 2010, tapping out Manuel Almunia after a pass by Jermain Defoe. Bale's winning goal was kicked out by his weaker right foot in a 2–1 victory over league leaders and eventual champions Chelsea three days later, who was named man of the match. In April 2010, he was named Premier League Player of the Month for the Month. On May 7, 2010, he signed a new four-year deal at White Hart Lane as a reward for his help with the club's promotion of a 2010-11 UEFA Champions League qualification position.

Bale defeated Stoke City 2–1 on August 21, 2010, the second of which was a head-high volley into the top right hand corner of the goal. In August 2010, this was voted BBC Goal of the Month for the month. Bale's four goals were set up on August 25 to help Spurs beat Young Boys 4–0 (6–3 agg.) At White Hart Lane in a Champions League play-off. Despite the fact that Assou-Ekotto had already recovered from injury, Bale maintained his good form and cemented his place in the starting eleven, with his boss deciding to move to left wing to accommodate Assou-Ekotto at left-back. Bale scored his first Champions League goal for Tottenham in a 4–1 home victory over Dutch champions Twente in their second game of the group stages on September 29. He was named Welsh Player of the Year by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) for his performances (FAW).

Bale scored his first senior hat-trick against Inter Milan in the Champions League on October 20th. Spurs lost the game 4–3, after being 4–0 down inside the first 35 minutes and playing with ten men for over 80 minutes of the match, after goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was suspended in the eighth minute for a professional foul on Inter's Jonathan Biabiany. Bale won by a score of the game at White Hart Lane on Friday, setting up goals for Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko, giving Spurs a memorable 3–1 win.

Despite expressed interest from other clubs, Bale said on November 4 that he intended to remain at Tottenham for the remainder of his four-year deal, and that, in December, he was awarded the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year award. It was revealed on March 19, 2011 that he would then extend his stay at the club until 2015. Bale was named PFA Player of the Year award on April 17th by his peers, as voted for by his peers.

He came to international notice with Spurs during the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League. Tottenham has been named to a number of different European footballers.

In an away game against Wigan Athletic, Bale scored his first goal of the 2011-12 season. Tottenham won by 2–1 on the game. In a 3–1 home victory over Queens Park Rangers, he scored his second and third goals of the season. Aaron Lennon played his good form in the first goal in a 3–1 victory over Fulham the following week, while Aaron Lennon made it 2–0 on the stroke of half time. Chris Baird's first goal against Fulham was later determined by the "dubious goals committee" to be an own goal.

Bale scored the first goal in Tottenham's 3–0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on December 3rd. In front of the Bolton supporters, he marked the occasion with a salute to Gary Speed by stitching "R.I.P. Gary Speed" on his left boot. Tottenham Hotspur defeated Norwich City 2–0 on December 27th. Bale scored twice to give Tottenham a 2–0 victory. Bale was one of the 2011 UEFA Team of the Year on January 5, 2012. He scored twice against Wigan on January 31-30, taking his total number to ten goals for the season to date. For the second time in his career, he was named Premier League Player of the Month in January 2012, after three goals and two assists in the Premier League for the month. Bale's future with the club will be determined until 2016.

Bale's squad number increased from 3 to 11 for the 2012-13 season as he was "not a left-back anymore" and had asked the team for a "higher number." Bale scored his first goal of the 2012–13 season against Reading on September 16, 2012, a 3–1 away victory. Bale scored his second goal in Tottenham's 3–2 away victory over Manchester United, their first victory at Old Trafford since 1989.

In a 4–0 away victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day, he scored his first Premier League hat-trick. Bale defeated Coventry City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, as well as assisting Clint Dempsey on both of his goals in a 3–0 win on January 5th. Bale's 1-1 draw with Norwich City on January 30th was a magnificent solo effort. Bale also scored against West Bromwich Albion in a 1–0 away win on February 3. Bale also increased his goal total of the season to 15 goals against Newcastle United in a match that Spurs lost 2–1. Spurs gained third place and lifted their Champions League aspirations as a result.

Bale's next game saw him score from two free kicks, one from 35 yards out right before halftime and another from 25 yards out in the dying seconds of injury time, resulting in a 2–1 victory over Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie on February 14th. Bale's total goal total grew to ten in his first ten appearances. Bale scored the first and third goals in Tottenham's Premier League match against West Ham on Sunday, a 3–2 win for Tottenham. In the dying stages of the game, his second, a long-distance dipping strike from over 30 yards, capped a world class show. This was his eighth goal in six games.

Bale scored against Arsenal in a North London derby that Tottenham won 2–1. Tottenham versus Inter Milan in the Europa League on March 7th, with Bale scoring the first goal and Tottenham winning 3–0. Bale's solid form in the early months of 2013 saw him win Premier League Player of the Month for February and BBC Goal of the Month in both January and February for his hits against Norwich City and West Ham United respectively. Bale's right ankle was injured in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Basel on April 4th. Tottenham Hotspur defeated Manchester City 1-0 at White Hart Lane after Bale returned from injury and assisted Clint Dempsey.

Bale was named Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by the end of April on 28th, based on his excellent performance in the 2012–2013 season. Bale was one of only two players to win all three awards in the same season last week, the other being Cristiano Ronaldo, who won them in 2007. Bale scored the winning goal against his former club Southampton on May 4th. Spurs won by 1–0 on their first appearance in the Premier League, as well as Bale's 20th in the Premier League. Bale scored a 90th-minute goal from 25 yards out on 19 May 19th. Spurs beat Sunderland 1–0, but it wasn't enough to guarantee them Champions League football for the following season.

Real Madrid, a Spanish club, reported on September 1st that they had reached an agreement for the transfer of Bale, a six-year contract in a then world record deal. Bale's cost £77 million (€91 million), according to the Spanish press (and Real Madrid TV), although the British press announced a world record transfer fee of £85.3 million (€100 million), which would be above Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer record of £80 million (€94 million). However, Football Leaks, which reported a world record transfer fee of €100.8 million (£85.1 million), leaked documents relating to the transfer in January 2016. In August 2016, Bale's record was beaten by Paul Pogba's record of €105 million (£89.2 million). At Madrid, Bale was given the number 11 shirt.

Bale's first two games were marred by injuries; of Real's first 16 games since his arrival, Bale missed five games and was suspended on or off in six others, with six others playing only five full games. Bale scored on his Real Madrid debut in the 38th minute against Villarreal before being suspended later in the game for ngel Di Mara. Bale's second appearance in the Champions League came as a result over Galatasaray 6–1. Despite that Bale was only on the game for the second time, Cristiano Ronaldo's second goal of the game was his free kick. Bale's home debut as a second-half replacement in a 1–0 loss to Atlético Madrid on September 28, 2013.

Bale made his El Clásico debut on October 26th, but he was forced to leave in the 61st minute following a brief appearance against Juventus in the Champions League. Barcelona won the game 2–1, and Bale's performance attracted some media attention. In a 7-3 victory over Sevilla, four days later, he scored two goals and assisted two others. Bale "The Cannon" is a Spanish newspaper named after his impressive output.

In November, he scored in Madrid's 3–2 victory over Rayo Vallecano before scoring in a 2–2 draw with Juventus in the Champions League. In the Champions League, he scored a 25-yard free kick against Galatasaray, a match in which Madrid beat 4–1 despite being a man down. Bale rounded off the month with his first hat-trick for Real Madrid, as well as assisting Karim Benzema in a 4–0 win over Real Valladolid on November 30. One goal had a header and one with each foot, and the other with each foot.

He scored twice in Real Madrid's 6–1 victory over Schalke 04 in the Champions League's first leg on February 26, 2014. In a 3–0 quarter-final victory over Borussia Dortmund on April 2, he scored one of the team's three goals, sending him to his fifth Champions League goals of the season. Real Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano (5–0), Real Sociedad (4–0), and Almer (4-0), who scored four goals in three matches between gameweek 31 and 33.

Bale scored the winning goal for Real Madrid with five minutes remaining in the 2014 Copa del Rey Final against Barcelona on April 16th. Bale defeated Barcelona defender Marc Bartra from the halfway line at one point (with Bale running off the field at one point) before converting goalkeeper José Manuel Pinto for one of his career's top goals. Bale said, "I had to get round the player and go off the field to do it," he said, despite his Real Madrid teammate Xabi Alonso's reaction, "I had never seen anything like it." Bale's 20th birthday and first in a Clásico fixture was his first.

Real Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid 2–1 in the 2014 UEFA Champions League final on May 24th, when the Blancos won their tenth European Cup title. Bale scored in the 110th minute of the extra time period to put them 2–1 up against city rivals Atlético Madrid. Bale was the first Welshman to score a goal in a European Cup/Champions League final after the goal. Bale had 22 goals and 16 assists in all leagues during his debut season. Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano, the Real Madrid's attacking trio, who was dubbed BBC, finished the season with 97 goals.

Bale started the 2014 UEFA Super Cup with a win over Sevilla. Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal and assisting with the full 90 minutes. Ronaldo's performance was described as "amazing" after the match. Bale scored his first goal of the season in a 4–2 loss to Real Sociedad six days later. In Real's 8–2 victory over Deportivo La Corua on September 20, 2014, Bale scored twice.

Bale scored in their third major final, the second goal in a 2–0 win over San Lorenzo, to help the team win the FIFA Club World Cup. Bale was booed by a group of Madrid fans who accused him of being selfish in shooting for goal and not passing to Ronaldo in a game against Espanyol on January 10, 2015. Carlo Ancelotti defended Bale despite the season's extreme challenges. Bale sustained a calf injury against Málaga on April 18th.

In Real's victory over Real Betis in September 2015, Bale scored twice. Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo's attacking trio of Madrid's attacking trio all scored 200 goals since being first played together in 2013.

In a 10–2 victory over Rayo Vallecano on December 20, 2015, he scored four goals. Bale's second hat-trick of the season was scored in Madrid's 5–0 win over Deportivo La Corua in Los Blancos' first match as head coach of Los Blancos on January 9, 2016. Bale returned to the pitch on Friday after being sidelined since 19 January due to a calf injury sustained in a 5–1 league victory over Sporting Gijón, where he also scored the first goal of the game, scoring Real Madrid's final goal of the match.

Bale scored his 43rd La Liga goal in a 4–0 win over Sevilla on Sunday, taking second place behind Gary Lineker as the highest scoring British player in the competition's history. Real Madrid came from 0–2 down to win 3–2 at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Bale scored twice. Bale was a regular starter when the team took the UEFA Champions League in 2015-2016. In the penalty shoot-out victory over Atlético Madrid in the final, he scored and assisted the team's only goal while also going on to score.

Bale signed a new Madrid contract until 2022 on October 30, 2016. Bale suffered ankle tendons during a 2–1 victory at Sporting CP on Friday, limiting him to up to four months. Bale made his 100th appearance in La Liga on Sunday in a 3–2 home loss to Barcelona, but was forced to cancel due to a back injury.

Despite suffering numerous injuries during the season, he played 19 times for Madrid, winning their 33rd La Liga title. After being out of action for more than a month, he has returned to action in the 2017 UEFA Champions League Final, which Madrid defeated.

Bale's goalscoring record in the league, cup tournaments, and in the Champions League improved during the 2017-18 season. He appeared in Real Madrid's victories in both the 2017 UEFA Super Cup and the 2017 Supercopa de Espaa, as well as in the club's spirited 2017 FIFA Club World Cup campaign, winning a third trophy before 2018. He made 26 appearances and scored 16 goals in La Liga, but Real Madrid were unable to regain the trophy after finishing third, placing third.

Bale scored once more before reaching the final in the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League. In a 3–1 win over Germany, this goal came from the match against Borussia Dortmund in the group stages, where he opened the scoring in the group stages. Bale scored two goals, the first an overhead kick from the edge of the 18-yard box, before winning Real Madrid 3–1. He was the first substitute to score twice in a Champions League final and was dubbed man of the match.

Bale was ever present during the BBC trifecta with Ronaldo's transfer to Juventus and the replacement of Zidane by new manager Julen Loegui, winning the Real Madrid Player of the Month award for August, scoring against Getafe and Girona along the way.

Bale beat Kashima Antlers 3-1 in the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals on December 19, 2018. After Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suárez's game, he became the third player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA Club World Cup match. Since Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, he became the third player to score in three editions of the tournament. Real Madrid defeated Al Ain FC 4–1 in the final after winning the tournament. He was awarded the Golden Ball.

Bale scored his 100th goal for Real Madrid in a 3–1 away victory over cross-city rivals Atlético Madrid on February 9, 2019, but the match's "protestative" goal celebration that he exhibited against the opposition supporters was also the source of controversies in the media.

According to boss Zinedine Zidane, he was close to leaving the club in July 2019, but Real Madrid called off a proposed transfer to Chinese club Jiangsu Suning later this month. Bale was reported to be "angry" at Real Madrid and wanted to leave in October 2019, but Zidane later said that Bale had never be asked to leave. Ramón Calderón, the former president of Real Madrid, has also stated that Bale will return to Tottenham Hotspur. Real Madrid defeated Real Madrid in the 2019-20 La Liga in 16 appearances during the league season.

Bale returned to Tottenham Hotspur on a season-long loan on September 19, 2020. In Tottenham's 2–1 home win over Brighton & Hove Albion on November 1st, he came off the bench to score the winner, his first goal since returning to the club. Bale scored his 200th goal in a 3–3 draw against LASK in the Europa League on December 3rd. In a 4–0 victory over Burnley on February 28, 2021, he scored a brace and got an assist. Bale scored twice in Tottenham's 4–1 victory over Crystal Palace on March 7, raising his total number to six goals in six games to six. Bale beat Sheffield United 4–0 on May 2nd, scoring a hat-trick. The hat-trick was only his second appearance in the Premier League and his first since returning to Tottenham. Bale came off the bench on two goals against Leicester City in a 4–2 away win that culminated in Tottenham's promotion to the Europa Conference League.

Bale's appearances in the 2021–22 season were severely limited. Jonathan Barnett, Bale's agent, announced in May 2022 that Bale would leave Real Madrid after the 2021-22 season. Bale himself issued an open letter on Twitter announcing his resignation on June 1st.

Los Angeles FC announced on June 27, 2022, that Bale had agreed to a 12-month deal, based on Targeted Allocation Fund (TAM) with options through 2024. Bale revealed on social media that he would be joining the MLS team ahead of the announcement.

In a 2–1 win over Nashville SC on July 17, he made his 72nd-minute substitute. In his next appearance, he appeared on Sunday as a 65th-minute replacement against Sporting Kansas City, scoring his first goal for the club in a 2–0 victory.

International career

Bale was chosen by Wales at the end of the 2005-06 season for a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on May 27, 2006. He took over David Vaughan after 55 minutes and assisted Robert Earnshaw's winning goal in a 2–1 victory. Bale, who was 16 years old and 315 days old, became Wales' youngest player to play for Wales, breaking a record set by Lewin Nyatanga three months earlier; this record was superseded by Harry Wilson in October 2013.

Brian Flynn, a Wales youth advisor, said Bale could be a future star of the game, comparing his technical skills to that of Ryan Giggs. Bale was the youngest ever goalscorer for the senior national team in a Euro 2008 qualification match against Slovakia on October 7, 2006, scoring a free kick. He returned and started in the World Cup qualifier against Finland on October 10, 2009, after a long layoff. Aaron Ramsey won the free kick that resulted in the second, his first at senior level, on October 14th.

Bale was given the BBC Cymru Sports Personality of the Year award in December 2010. Bale scored both goals for Wales in a 2–1 victory over Scotland in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on October 12, 2012. He gained his 100th Wales cap during a World Cup qualifier match against Belarus on Friday at Cardiff City Stadium, where he played 45 minutes at half time.

Wales defeated Andorra 2–1 in their first match of the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying season on September 9, 2014, Bale scored two goals, one with a header and another with a free kick. He scored 14 goals in his debut as Wales' joint top-scoring leader, alongside John Hartson. In a 3–0 victory over Israel on March 28, Bale scored two goals on 28 March 2015. He scored his only goal to beat Belgium in a home qualifier on June 12, taking Wales over the Belgians to the top of Group B of Group B. Jazz Richards was on the march with a 1–0 victory over Cyprus on September 3rd, taking Wales three points away from qualification. Bale scored his seventh goal of the qualifying campaign in Wales' final qualifier against Andorra at the Cardiff City Stadium on October 13, 2015, with qualifying to UEFA Euro 2016. (the country's first major finals since the 1958 FIFA World Cup).

Bale scored his first goal in Wales' UEFA Euro 2016 first game against Slovakia on June 11th, kicking them into a 2–1 victory and leading them to their first victory in a tournament in 58 years. With his goal, Terry Medwin became the first Welsh player to score at a major international tournament since Terry Medwin's goal against Hungary at the 1958 FIFA World Cup. In the second group game, Bale scored another free kick against England, but Wales lost the game 2–1. Bale scored his third goal of the tournament in a 3–0 victory over Russia, making him their all-time top scorer in major tournaments, ahead of Ivor Allchurch, who scored twice in the 1958 World Cup; he also assisted in the match's second goal, which was scored by Neil Taylor. Bale sent the cross over the Northern Ireland in the last 16 against Northern Ireland, where Gareth McAuley scored an own goal to give the Welsh victory. Following a 2–0 loss to eventual champions Portugal in the semi-finals of the tournament on July 6th, Wales was disqualified.

Bale defeated Moldova 4–0 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification game on September 5, 2016, Bale scored twice twice. He rose to 24 international goals, defeating both Ivor Allchurch and Trevor Ford and leaving second only Ian Rush's 28. Bale became Wales' all-time top-scoer in his international career against China on March 22, 2018, scoring 29 goals against Ian Rush.

He was named captain of the Wales squad for the postponed UEFA Euro 2020 tournament in May 2021. He helped Wales win by 2–0 over Turkey in their second group match, where they were defeated 4–0 by Denmark in the finals.

Bale scored two goals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff semi-finals, defeating Austria 2–1 in the playoff finals on March 24. Bale's free-kick was deflected into the net by Ukraine captain Andriy Yarmolenko, bringing Wales the lone goal in a 1–0 victory. For the first time since 1958, Wales qualified for the World Cup. Bale described it as "the greatest achievement in Welsh football" in history, as well as that it "means everything." It's what dreams are made of." Bale, the Welsh captain, led the Welsh team in singing along with the team's unofficial anthem Yma o Hyd, which was performed live by Dafydd Iwan after the final whistle. The Guardian opined after the match that "what can be said now is that no one has ever achieved more in a Wales shirt." Bale's winning goal was later announced at the end of June.

Bale, who met the age requirements to participate in the 2012 London Olympics, said in May 2011 "I want to compete in the Olympics" for the Great Britain Olympic football team, in defiance of the FAW. Bale became the first celebrity to be photographed modelling the British 2012 London Olympics football supporters' shirt on October 28th. Jonathan Ford, FAW's chief executive, said: "Our position remains unchanged." We are not for Team GB. Gareth is free to make his own decisions and make his own decisions. But we are not going to ban anyone from playing." "When he is 100% Welsh, he is also British," a spokesperson for Bale said.

Bale withd a back injury pulled him out of the tournament in June 2012. Stuart Pearce, the Team GB football manager, told him on the 29th of June that he did not qualify for selection because he had aggravated an old back and hip injury during a training run. Bale had to withdraw rather than exacerbate the issue because of the short turnaround time between the Olympics and the start of the Premier League season. Bale recovered from his injury in good time to be included on Spurs' pre-season tour of the United States, scoring against LA Galaxy on July 24 and the New York Red Bulls a week later. Bale was also playing against Liverpool when he was injured in a tackle by Charlie Adam during these games.

Bale's appearances in Spurs' pre-season tour coincided with Team GB's Olympic matches, where the team lost to Senegal and Uruguay before losing to South Korea after a penalty shoot-out. Bale's release from the Team GB squad sparked calls for discipline against him, including a ban from the rest of Spurs' pre-season tour, but no action was taken out because of a formal complaint lodged by Team GB. André Villas-Boas, Spurs' manager, defended Bale's assertion that the player "had recovered faster than expected." Lord Moynihan, the British Olympic Association chairman, endorsed the club's position.

Tottenham says in connection with Bale's non-selection for Team GB that "Gareth sustained an injury as he built up his fitness before joining Stuart Pearce's side. On June 29, 2012, MRI scan results were sent to the FA medical team. He was then refused because of this injury and his inability to estimate recovery time. This decision was not taken lightly and was made only after consulting with Team GB's medical team, who were in agreement after getting the medical findings."

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