Gareth Bale has revealed he secretly played most of his career with a serious back injury that eventually led to his early retirement.
The former Real Madrid star, now 36, said he tore a disc in his back at age 18 while playing for Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the injury, he continued playing throughout his career.
Bale said the back problem caused many of the calf injuries he suffered but he never spoke about it publicly because he feared people would think he was making excuses.
Although the injury was manageable for years, it gradually worsened and contributed to his decision to retire at 33 after playing for Wales national football team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
During his career, Bale won five UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid and became one of Britain’s most successful footballers.
He also said family health issues influenced his decision to step away from football. After retirement, Bale has shown interest in football club ownership and was part of a group that tried to buy Cardiff City.
Bale said he now plans to spend time with his family before deciding what to do next.
