Gareth Bale hints on next summer retirement

Gareth Bale ‘plans to RETIRE from club football next summer but still feature at the 2022 World Cup for Wales’ as he looks to see out rest of his mammoth £600,000-a-week deal at Real Madrid

The Welshman is planning to then return for Wales’ 2022 World Cup campaign

Bale, who is 32 next week, has one year left on his £600,000-a-week Real deal

Now, according to The Mirror, with his Wales’ journey at Euro 2020 coming to an end after their 4-0 thumping at the hands of Denmark in the last-16, Bale will hang up his boots at club level next summer before guiding his country in Qatar next winter if they qualify.

Wales have three points from their opening two World Cup qualifying group games after bouncing back from their defeat by Belgium to beat Czech Republic – who are a point in front of them in second place and have played a game more.

Bale and Co will need to finish either in first place to qualify directly for the World Cup finals or finish in second to advance to the second round play-offs.

read alsoGareth Bale rules out retirement with World Cup in mind

Following Wales’ exit from the European Championship last month, Bale was asked in the immediate aftermath of the match whether it would be his last appearance for his country amid speculation that he’d be retiring.

A furious Bale, who turns 32 next week, abruptly terminated the post-match interview, making more headlines over his future.