Close Menu
    Gareth Bale RETIRES from professional football‼ WHERE IS THE RESPECT!? - Craig Burley | ESPN FC
    World Cup 2026

    Gareth Bale RETIRES from professional football‼ WHERE IS THE RESPECT!? – Craig Burley | ESPN FC



    The ESPN FC crew react to Gareth Bale’s controversial decision to retire from professional football after a “sour” ending to his career.

    ✔ Subscribe to ESPN+: http://espnplus.com/soccer/youtube
    ✔ Subscribe to ESPN FC on YouTube: http://bit.ly/SUBSCRIBEtoESPNFC

    View 40 Comments

    40 Comments

    2. Rudolph George on

      Bale didn’t care for his fans
      It was always the fans who paid his bills
      Poor sportsmanship on his part and his talent amounted to nothing especially when he disrespected the sport at every opportunity

    3. Tony H on

      He was a very good player. Great player? not for me. he's been sitting on the bench for 4-5 years happy picking up a paycheck. he was basically finished at 27 in terms of the last 4 years hes done nothing. retired at 32-33.

    7. Alex Tutton on

      Dan Thomas showing himself as the clown he is, no respect shown just negativity, doesn’t realise no one cares or wants to hear his opinion.

      Still baffles me how clueless Don is considering he’s an ex player and been in the game his whole life.

      Craig the only one speaking sense here.

    13. Samurai Gaming on

      everyone just kept taking real Madrid's side over and over not to mention Spanish fans are the most xenophobic by far of all 5 leagues he did more than any other player real has had he even stayed and won more without Ronaldo

    14. Shrugs on

      Even Bale if did ‘play the game’, Madrid would still have disrespected him. Like they did to Casilles and managers who won them champions leagues. Eff Madrid

    19. Sir_Phillip_ on

      I love that there’s finally someone backing bale. As a barca fan obviously I had some dislike for him but because for moments in his career he was unplayable. That goal against barca in the final haunts me. Can’t speak to how Madrid fans see him because of some of his antics but what he did for them his goals assists and performances idk how there’s ppl dragging him and trying to bring him down.

    21. faresoccer1 on

      That goal In the copa Del Rey final alone makes him a Real Madrid legend. Go look up that goal in Arabic Commentary. Is the best commentary ever.

    22. Guy Harvey on

      I am with Craig on this one. Bale is in the 0.00001 % of most successful footballers ever. So annoying that Dan wouldn't let Craig finish speaking.

    23. flickchic238 on

      Bale is another example of a footballer having a great career, playing among the best AND being the best, winning trophies, leagues, etc. Best of luck to him in his new chapter. He will be in history.

    24. Skand Swami on

      When you boo your players when they don’t score for a while.
      When your beloved Manager doesn’t play arguably the best player in the squad because Bale didn’t have personal equation with Zidane.
      I think Bale having no love for Real Madrid is very justified.

      Prime Bale was on bench and Lucas Vasquez was on the the pitch. Are you kidding me!

    25. Keith Evans on

      What all these media pundits forget is the "Wales ,golf,Madrid " quote originated from an ex Madrid player on Spanish media saying it to slag Bale off.The banner was a big FU to an ungrateful and famously fickle club and their fascist fans.

    30. Kewon Crayton on

      I agree with Craig.

      Also, let’s remember that Madrid bent totally to Ronaldo’s will – imagine how Bale would’ve played if he was respected the same.

      Bale scored some Incredible goals and OFTEN came up when his team needed. This criticism is unwarranted.

    36. Darth StarForce on

      Let me start by saying bale was a fantastic player in his prime. One of the best in the world for many years. By 2018 he was declining. That year he did help Madrid tremendously in the final against Liverpool. Madrid let Ronaldo go because they believed bale could step up but unfortunately he did not. I personally consider him a fantastic player but not a legend. The last 3 year at Madrid he did nothing. Benzama had to step up. His actions caused him his legacy. Always injured except when he had to play with wales. Even in his return to Tottenham he was benched because of injury most of the time and had a small contribution towards the end of his loan. They say he got 5 champions league but the last one he had absolutely no contribution. Nacho (cb from Madrid) has the same amount of trophies and should he be considered on of the best in history. No but I have more respect for him because every time he is given an opportunity he gives it his all and appreciates it.

    39. Parshow Jyoti Phukan on

      Well I as a Real Madrid fan consider Gareth Bale as one of our greats. And i know many would agree with me. His final years were rough but he had done more than many others would have done in their whole career. He certainly could have reached higher that's for sure. And that is the only thing that disappointed me. He could have been even better. He certainly had the ability.
      But cheers to him. 🍺

    40. Real Gems on

      The Madrid fans was so annoyed with Bale and Benzema for many seasons and Bale would score in the final which is the only time British people watch a team from another league.

    Leave A Reply