June 01, (THEWILL) – Gareth Bale has announced his departure from Real Madrid, as his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires.
The Welshman joined the club in 2013 and has won numerous trophies, but his time at the club has been marred by injuries and criticism from both fans and the Spanish media for his struggle to stay healthy.
This season, he made just seven appearances across all competitions and is now preparing for the next phase, which his agent thinks will focus around Wales’ World Cup ambitions.
In an emotional post on Instagram, Bale wrote: “I write this message to say thank you to all my teammates, past and present, my managers, the back room staff and to the fans that supported me.
“I arrived here nine years ago as a young man who wanted to realise my dream of playing for Real Madrid. To wear the pristine white kit, to wear the crest on my chest, to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, to win titles and to be part of what it’s so famous for, to win the Champions League.
“I can now look back, reflect and say with honesty that this dream became a reality and much, much more. To be a part of this club’s history and to achieve what we achieved while I was a Real Madrid player, has been an incredible experience and one I will never forget.
“I also want to thank President Florentino Perez, Jose Angel Sanchez, and the board for giving me the opportunity to play for this club. Together we were able to create some moments that will live forever in the history of this club and football.
“It has been an honour. Thank you! HALA MADRID!”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
