Gareth Bale has revealed he suffered from a chronic back injury that influenced his decision to retire from football. The former Wales captain explained that he carried the problem for many years while playing at the highest level, according to The Athletic. He eventually retired in January 2023 following a final spell with Los Angeles FC.
Bale stated that the injury required constant management and often limited his availability for both club and country. The condition grew progressively worse during the latter stages of his career, per Sky Sports. He noted that the pain made it difficult to maintain the physical standards required for professional competition.
The forward won five Champions League titles during his time in Spain before his move to Major League Soccer. Bale earned 111 caps for Wales and led the national team to its first World Cup appearance in 64 years. He confirmed that the injury was kept private to avoid giving opponents a perceived advantage during matches.
