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‘No chance’ Gareth Bale retires after Euros, says Wales team-mate
James Shearman
- 2 Jun 2021 13:15 BST
- 3 min read
There is “no chance” that Wales star Gareth Bale will retire after this summer’s European Championships, according to team-mate Joe Rodon.
Bale is thought to be considering retirement after a frustrating season-long loan at Tottenham where regular playing time was hard to come by under manager Jose Mourinho.
The four-time Champions League winner managed just 10 starts in the Premier League, despite showing impressive efficiency at a goal contribution every 71 minutes.
Bale to retire?
With little more to achieve in club football, now could present an opportunity for Bale to step away from the game, perhaps to pursue a career in golf. But the Welshman has said previously that he’d love to represent Wales at a World Cup, meaning he could continue for another season in preparation for Qatar 2022.
“No chance! It’s all on Gareth and I’ve got nothing to do with that, but none of us at Wales want him anywhere near retirement and we want him for as long as possible,” Rodon told Sky Sports News when asked about a potential retirement for Bale.
The 23-year-old got to know Bale even more in their time at Spurs this season.
“He’s been brilliant with me since the first day I walked in through the doors at Tottenham,” he added.
“He’s just a big kid! He’s brilliant to have around the dressing room, and obviously, everyone knows what he does on the football pitch. Off it, he’s just brilliant to have around and he’s a great character.”
The winger had a difficult relationship with former boss Zinedine Zidane, but the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti could see him get another opportunity to play for Los Blancos, although that s unlikely.
President Florentino Perez will be eager to get the 31-year-old’s £564,000-a-week contract off the wage bill, but it could be difficult to find suitor for a player more concerned with getting fit for an international tournament.
