Manager Rob Page has paid tribute to “phenomenal” Cymru captain Gareth Bale following his retirement from football on Monday.
Bale brought the curtain down on a glittering 16-year career which saw him become the all-time leading cap holder and all-time top scorer for the men’s national team.
The inspirational captain, who made his international debut against Trinidad & Tobago in 2006, went on to make 111 appearances for Cymru – scoring 41 goals – and helped Cymru to three of the last four major tournaments.
Bale was an essential part of the team that defied the odds to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and led the nation to Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup – the first since 1958.
“It’s phenomenal what he’s done for us, not just from a football standpoint, but as a nation,” Page said. “He has put Wales on the global map because of what he has done in European football at Real Madrid, in the Premier League with Tottenham and in the World Cup as well. Culturally and Wales in general, everyone should be proud of what he has done for us.
“I worked with him for a few years and when I was with the Under-21s, I could see from afar that he was passionate about playing for his country. Now that I’ve worked closely with him, it’s another level again because he’s so proud every time i wear that shirt and that comes with it.
“He’s a credit to himself and his family with the way he carries himself around the squad and the way he looks after the new players when they come into camp. He’s certainly going to be missed and it’s not the news we wanted to start the year. , but we all knew one day would come.”
Away from the international stage, Bale created a string of crucial goals at club level and won three La Liga titles, five Champions League titles, along with three Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, a Spanish Cup and MLS Cup.
And Page says he wants to use Bale’s experience in future international camps and will offer him the chance to stay in the Cymru squad.
“When you have someone of Gareth Bale’s stature and the impact he can have, even in the dressing room just being around the players, I have to take advantage of that,” he added. “This is something I’m passionate about and want to keep involved.
“I think he will be interested and there may have been discussions before about staying involved in some capacity. The important thing now is to celebrate his career and celebrate what he has done for us as a nation. “
