Bale Reveals Toughest Right Back He Played Against & Why He Retired At 33

Micah Richards was the hardest right-back Gareth Bale ever faced, and he also explains why he retired at the age of 33.

Following the World Cup finals in Qatar, the former Wales international decided to hang up his cleats.

In his final match for a club, he helped LAFC win the MLS Cup. His illustrious career began at Southampton and included remarkable stints with Tottenham and Real Madrid before coming to an end in America.

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When he joined Real in 2013, Bale became the most expensive player in world football after being one of the most lethal forwards on the planet at one point. Bale also tested himself against some of the best defenders in the game.

Asked to pick out the best of the right-backs he lined up against, having spent the peak years of his career operating on the flanks, Bale told The Times: “The hardest right back I played against was Micah Richards. I was a bit quicker but he was an athlete, so strong and holding. I’d knock it round him but he just [leans across and] goes ‘no!’”

Bale won three La Liga titles and five Champions League crowns during his time in Madrid, but faced plenty of criticism as well and headed into retirement after just 13 games with LAFC. Asked to explain that decision, Bale said: I didn’t fall out of love with the game, I just felt I’d achieved everything I wanted to,” he says. “I have no regrets. I’m very happy with my career. With Wales, I also want to give the next generation time to come through.

“I hope I’ve showed them what we expect of our team when we play and what we do in the environment in the dressing room. I still enjoyed playing but it just got to a point where I wanted to spend more time with my family. My kids are growing up so fast I felt like I missed a lot.”

Though he hasn’t taken his badges, Bale has hinted that he might transition into coaching in the future. For the time being, though, he’s enjoying the plenty of free time to indulge in golf, his other big sporting interest.