Gareth Bale spoke about his life after football since retiring from the game in 2023, and it’s fair to say that his old life was left behind.
Welsh football icon Gareth Bale shared insights into his new life as he retired after saying goodbye to his soccer career at the age of 33.
The Cardiff-born superstar has finished an extraordinary career following the 2022 World Cup, retiring as Wales’ most capped player with 111 contestants and the best scorer of all time, earning the net 41 times in the iconic red shirt. He also led Wales to three major tournaments, marking Qatar’s campaign’s first World Cup in 64 years.
On the club’s front line, Bale began his Southampton career, gaining fame at Tottenham Hotspur, scoring a world record at the time, securing a £85 million move to Real Madrid. There he won five Champion Leagues and three LA La Liga titles, closing his day playing for MLS at Los Angeles FC, solidifying his position as one of the most decorated players of the present day.
Less than three years after hanging his boots, Bale admits that his daily life now appears to be quite different. The former winger spoke to the Wolleson Line at Gareth Bale Sports Festival in Celtic Manor, spilled beans on spending his time resigning.
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Family life
Since his retirement, Bale has made the most of his new free time, dedicating as much of it as possible to his family.
Tied the knot with Emma Rice Jones, a childhood love in 2019, Bale is the proud father of four youngest children born in 2021, Alba, Nava, Axel and Xander.
The pressure of professional football often meant that Bale missed a precious moment with his growing brothel. Now he makes up for the lost time by creating unforgettable memories with them, including holidays to Abu Dhabi, Lapland and the United States.
In a confession that resonates with many parents, the Welsh football icon acknowledges that his children are “very busy” and that “many taxi driving” has become more prominent in his daily life.
“I’m just doing everything and living a really normal life,” he shared with Walesonline. “I’m with my family, spending time with my wife, playing golf, I’m doing normal things and I don’t have much to do, but it’s enough to keep me busy.
“I knew soccer wouldn’t last forever. I spend time with my family and enjoy it. I do something on TV and work on soccer, but the kids are really busy.
“I’m still relatively new to retirement so I’m still enjoying the phase where I’m not apart every week, but enjoying being around my family a little more. It’s great to be able to spend time with them as I enjoy watching the kids miss so much while playing.
“To be honest, I spend my time everywhere,” he added. “The kids are in school so you can’t go to too many places. But yeah, I’m meeting friends, family here and everywhere, and enjoying the time.”
Between his children, between the ages of four and 12, reveals that they are beginning to dabble in a variety of sports.
But despite his position as Wales, the best footballer ever, if not in England, is determined not to build up pressure on them if they choose to follow his path.
“They’re all trying to do as much as they want to do,” he said. “I have too many kids, so there’s a lot of taxi driving! But it’s about encouraging them and I just want them to enjoy it. I don’t care if they’ll become anything, I want them to enjoy sports when they were kids, play with their friends and then get real fun.
“They are very young. I just want them to enjoy football. I don’t want to put pressure on them because of their last name. I just want my kids to enjoy it and enjoy it, like I did when I was younger.
In a spectacular state
Despite nearly three years since Bale left the beautiful game, he is retiring from his impressive physique, barely affected by his retirement.
The Welsh legend flaunted his sculpted abs and muscular frames through social media snaps from his vacation to Abu Dhabi, but his athleticism was revealed once more this month when he revived football for charity fixtures in Korea.
Bale took on the unusual role of the middle half of FC Spear during the Nexon Icon match in Seoul.
Although he marked his first appearance since hanging his boots, the former Real Madrid star looked sharp and athletic as he flipped the clock with his trademark burst runs and fierce efforts at goal.
However, the player himself was not completely satisfied with his display. “It was the first time I’d kicked a ball since I retired,” he said.
“It was a bit of a struggle, I’m not going to lie. Putting my boots back together, we laughed, we had a good time with all the players there. But I’m still recovering from jet lag!
“My performance wasn’t that good, but it was good to go there. I’d never been to Korea before, and it was great to see fans there supporting me and connecting with them a bit.
Discussing how he maintained an impressive physique after hanging his boots, Bale revealed:
The role of the new TV
Last month it was announced that Bale secured a fresh position as a critic of TNT Sports for the 2025/26 campaign, and that the Welsh star has lent his expertise to broadcaster Premier League and Champions League programming.
This followed his impressive display analyzing the Spurs’ Europa League final victory over United in May, attracting the attention of TNT executives and was appointed as the exit for Rio Ferdinand. The Manchester United icon left the channel 12 years later after choosing not to renew his contract at the end of last season.
Bale then disregards his new position and claims he will only cover “a few games,” but confesses that after a few years of separation, he enjoys coming back to football.
“It’s obviously completely different, but it’s good to stay involved in football,” he said. “I always said after football, I wanted to take a little time and go, and I think I’m starting to enjoy a little more.
“It’s great to be a little more involved in football. I enjoy it more and watch it. It was good to dip my toes into it and see how the aspects of things work.
“I’m just playing a few games like last year. I think everyone got a little obsessed with what they were doing! I think the news was a bit misunderstood, but watching some games and doing some critics would be fun.
“It was interesting. I was living as a player so it was good to provide another aspect, not just performance, and give my thoughts on my experience throughout the moment.
A spectacular asset
He no longer pockets large wages as a player, but today’s wealth of veils is thought to remain around the eye-catching £120 million. The former Real Madrid legend pocketed an astounding £600,000 £600,000 a week while in Spain, but boosted his enormous personal wealth through wise business decisions over the years.
He launched the bar “Eleven” in Cardiff in 2017, combining his subsequent bar projects with his passion for golf, and harnessing the victory five years later by unveiling the “Par 59” on the city’s vibrant St. Mary’s Street. He later opened a second facility in Bristol.
Despite being Teetotal, Bale has made a “significant investment” in Penderyn distilleries, securing a minority shareholder position within the company. He has also invested in Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL Golf League, and has maintained lucrative endorsement agreements with major brands such as Adidas, PlayStation and BMW for many years.
Gareth Vale was organised in collaboration with Street Games, Welsh Golf and CAA Sports, with support from R&A, and was speaking at the Gareth Vale Sports Festival, held at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.
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