Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, who led Wales to a 1-0 victory over Ukraine to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1958, has said that he won’t retire, adding that the international tournament at Qatar is likely to extend his club career too.
Wales, who had only qualified for the World Cup once prior to Sunday’s result, went into the match leaving sympathy for Ukraine aside, with their sights set firmly on qualification.
The match was hardly a walkover, and Ukraine proved to be a difficult side, but Wales found the decisive goal when a Gareth Bale free-kick was deflected into the Ukraine goal by Andriy Yarmolenko.
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While the result was a cruel one for Ukraine, who were the better side and had a penalty appeal dismissed, Bale hailed the victory as one of the greatest feats in Welsh football.
“The result is the greatest result in history of Welsh football. It’s what dreams are made of,” said the 32-year-old Welshman after the match.
“I’m speechless because we’re so happy. We did it for all our amazing fans in the country. Words can’t describe our feelings at the moment,” a euphoric Bale added.
When reporters quizzed the 32-year-old about his plans for the future and asked him whether qualification for the World Cup would extend his career, a smiling Bale said, “Maybe for a little bit!”
Prior to the game, Bale had also commented on his club future, with his Real Madrid contract expiring this summer.
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“Yeah, I’ve got loads [of offers],” the out-of-favour Welshman had joked before the game.
While it’s unclear where Bale is headed in the summer, what is clear is that he will want regular first team action to prepare for the World Cup in November.
As it stands, the Welshman is linked to several clubs, with the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur also named in the mix. However, reports suggest that Bale is likely to move to the MLS, where the season runs until October or early November, thereby providing the perfect warm-up opportunity ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.