Gareth Balehas admitted that a family health scare was the real driving force behind his surprise decision to hang up his boots at the age of 33.

The Welsh legend sent shockwaves through the football world when he announced his retirement in January 2023, just weeks after Wales crashed out of the World Cup in Qatar. While Bale initially spoke of feeling "blessed" and having fulfilled his ambitions, he's now revealed there was a much more personal motivation behind his choice.

In a candid chat with the magazine GQ, Bale disclosed that his father Frank's deteriorating health made him reassess what truly mattered beyond the beautiful game.

"My dad got ill and that played a massive role in my decision," he revealed. "People don't know what anyone's going through at home, but I soon realised there's more to life than just football."

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Speaking about the importance of his family, he added: "Our kids, our life, our marriage, our family, our friends, these things are most important. The things you were so worried about in football I now look back and laugh at it but at the time you get anxious, you get nervous, you don't enjoy it."

The 36-year-old had just guided LAFC to MLS Cup glory, capping off a stellar career that boasted five Champions League crowns, a world-record move to Real Madrid and becoming Wales' record goalscorer and most-capped male international.

Looking back on his remarkable journey, he conceded there were aspirations left unfulfilled, including taking Wales to even greater heights on the global stage, yet maintained he walks away without any remorse. "I achieved so much," he added.

"Playing in a World Cup was the last thing I wanted to do. After that, I didn't feel like I had anything else left to achieve. It didn't go amazingly well for us, but it was the first time in 64 years. After that, I didn't feel like I had anything else left to achieve, goal-wise."

During the interview, Bale also tackled the persistent controversies during his Madrid tenure, including his alleged fixation with golf. He maintained he "never played that much", only hitting the greens "once every two or three weeks" on his days off.

He attributes his resilience under the intense media spotlight, particularly during challenging times in Spain when parts of the Real Madrid fanbase and press turned against him, to his father, Frank.

"My dad is very strong," he shared. "The way he and my mum brought me up was like 'no b******t'. They sacrificed a lot when I was growing up, travelling and giving up their weekends.

"It's something I only understand now I'm a parent doing it with my son. But if I went to a game and I didn't try, Dad was like, you can play s**t. I don't care. You can play amazing. I don't care. But if you don't try, that's not acceptable. I say it to my son now, he is only seven but trying is the only thing I require from you.

"It teaches you a lifelong lesson. You can't just give up when you don't like it or things aren't going well."

Bale spent the final years of his career on loan at Spurs during the Covid season, followed by a stint in MLS, before hanging up his boots as arguably Wales' most accomplished footballer. With 40 goals in 111 appearances and memorable moments on the grandest stage, his legacy is undeniable.

Now transitioning into media work with TNT Sports and CBS, Bale reveals he's relishing life post-football and appreciates that he bowed out at the right time for both himself and his family.

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