Gareth Bale

Wales' manager Robert Page has paid tribute to the work of the late Gary Speed while Ukraine's head coach Oleksandr Petrakov asked for continued support ...

“It’s what we’ve been working all our careers for and to do this for the fans, the nation, ourselves and our families is an incredible achievement, and it will be something that we will be forever proud of,” he said. “Everyone needs to continue to fight, as footballers we need to represent our country as best we can,” the Manchester City midfielder said. Petrakov said he could not criticise any of his players and hopes Ukrainians remember the efforts of his team, which will be completely different for their Nations League match against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday. “I think we did everything we could but I really want the people in Ukraine to remember our team, our efforts,” he said. It is the last piece of the jigsaw that we all wanted and we’re going to celebrate well tonight.” “I said that the young players have been spoilt rotten by qualifying for a Euros and a World Cup consecutively. We don’t hope to qualify for the Euros or a World Cup now, we believe we can do it, so there has been a massive change in the mentality.”

He does not dominate matches as he once did but Bale was instrumental in the goal that sent his country to their first World Cup finals in 64 years.

How can the outcome of a football match compete with news about the counterattack in Sievierodonetsk? How can these things occupy the heads and hearts of the same people at the same time? The Ukrainian fans were remembered at the final whistle, both by the Wales players who applauded them, and by Welsh fans who joined in their thunderclap: moving gestures that should not be forgotten. There is a sense of togetherness, of fresh peaks being scaled together, that is extremely rousing. And there we run straight into the awkwardness of the occasion. When Bale lined up a free-kick 11 minutes before half-time, minds inevitably went back to the free-kick he had swept into the same goal against Austria in March. This time, on the other side of the pitch, Bale stood on the tee and assessed the conditions: 25 yards, slight left to right breeze, heavy rain. Bale is a player these days who plays in snippets.

The Wales captain is looking for another club after Real Madrid confirmed he would leave as a free agent this month.

- Any Italian club - 14/1 The Welsh captain of course had a brilliant first spell with the north London club, and also impressed when he returned on loan in 2020. His agent Jonathan Barnett has already stated that the star’s next move would be for personal reasons rather than financial.

Gareth Bale revealed that he has temporarily shelved any retirement plans after he fired Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years at Ukraine's expense on ...

He told Sky Sports: "Yeah the result is the greatest result in the history of Welsh football. But any decision over his immediate decision is likely to be put on the backburner, as Bale basked in "the greatest result" in Welsh history. He added: "It was difficult, I haven't done too much over the last four weeks because of my back spasm which everyone knows about.

The television cameras quickly cut to an elated Wales boss Robert Page, who was mobbed by coaching staff and players. Wayne Hennesey ran from his goal arms ...

Those free kicks and dead ball situations, which Wales players have said they have no doubt Bale will score from, are the product of dedication to his craft and the pursuit of excellence. That is where he has rewarded the faith shown in him. Pictures of Gareth Bale singing loud and proud “Er gwaetha pawb a phopeth/Ry'n ni yma o hyd”, with Dafydd Iwan joining the squad on the pitch, have already been seen by millions more than our population of three million. And a language of our own. He has made no other promises to the public. But the hard work of successive Welsh coaching staffs and their support teams. But it was Wales who hit the jackpot. He truly is a gift from God. All human life is, of course. Wales loves heroes and Welsh history a tall story. The television cameras quickly cut to an elated Wales boss Robert Page, who was mobbed by coaching staff and players. Like that marvelous run in France. Pinch yourself this is real, it is happening. A 1-0 victory meant Wales occupied the last European qualifying spot at the World Cup in Qatar.

Wales qualified for their first World Cup in 64 years by beating Ukraine 1-0 in a pulsating play-off final in Cardiff on Sunday. But little more than a decade ...

That’s what we try to do for them. We were just happy playing for Wales. “To do what we’ve done for this nation, to put them on the world stage, the world map, it’s everything for these fans. “This is the final piece in the jigsaw, to play at a World Cup. “We’ve paved the way for the youngsters as well, we’ve welcomed them in and it’s hard to describe what it means to us. “It’s been a crazy journey from where we were to qualify for two European Championships and a World Cup,” said Bale.

Gareth Bale is putting no timeframe on a decision over his club future after Wales' World Cup qualifying play-off victory over Ukraine put any potential ...

“It’s what we’ve been working all our careers for and to do this for the fans, the nation, ourselves and our families is an incredible achievement, and it will be something that we will be forever proud of,” he said. “It means everything. The 32-year-old had said ahead of the Ukraine clash that he had “loads of offers” and discussions with the forward’s representatives are set to take place in the coming days, but no deadline has been set for a decision.

Wales secured their place in the World Cup later this year with Gareth Bale heavily involved in the winning goal and the former Real Madrid man has issued ...

He admitted the injuries have been "difficult" but was grateful to get through the game. We're all ecstatic, you can see it with the fans, we're going to the World Cup." Bale also branded Wales' success as the "greatest" win in the countries' history after they reached their third major tournament in six years.

Gareth Bale won't be retiring just yet after leading Wales into their first World Cup since the 1950s. They will now join England, USA and Iran in Group B ...

I feel sorry for them and all supporters around the world who have been supporting us.' I want to dedicate this to Gary. He started the culture. I feel sorry for our fans. 'I haven't done much over the last four weeks because of my back spasm, which everyone knows about, so just happy to get through the game, contribute in whatever way I could. I'm speechless because we're so happy - we did it for all our amazing fans and our country. It's what we've been working for since we first came together.

Wales qualified for their first World Cup in 64 years by beating Ukraine 1-0 in a pulsating play-off final in Cardiff on Sunday. But little more than a decade ...

That’s what we try to do for them. We were just happy playing for Wales. “To do what we’ve done for this nation, to put them on the world stage, the world map, it’s everything for these fans. “This is the final piece in the jigsaw, to play at a World Cup. “We’ve paved the way for the youngsters as well, we’ve welcomed them in and it’s hard to describe what it means to us. “It’s been a crazy journey from where we were to qualify for two European Championships and a World Cup,” said Bale.

Gareth Bale made sure he had time to celebrate Wales' World Cup qualification with his nearest and dearest.

As the Wales squad celebrated victory over Northern Ireland in Paris in the brilliant summer of 2016, Bale emerged onto the pitch with his daughter Alba Violet, then aged three. The now ex-Real Madrid striker was pictured welcoming three of his children onto the Cardiff City Stadium turf, joking with son Axel before wrapping him up in a coat. While we all know him as the football superstar, having led his country at Euro 2020, Wales football fans first got a glimpse of Bale the family man during Euro 2016.

Wales qualified for their first World Cup in 64 years by beating Ukraine 1-0 in a pulsating play-off final in Cardiff on Sunday. But little more than a decade ...

“It was the best from a goalkeeper I’ve ever seen. That’s what we try to do for them. He said: “If you’d asked me when I was a young kid to do what I’ve done in my career…I would have taken 10 per cent of it. Players become bigger and stronger and we’ve gelled well as a team. I think we were too young (to have targets) when we started. “But we’ve been playing with each other for a long time now.

The first Gareth Bale Festival of Sport Championship took place at The Vale Resort and was won by Callum Hook of Pyle and Kenfig. Gareth Bale also welcomed ...

“It was a question of keeping my head and playing the golf I can play. Sophie Madsen, the Tournament Director, added, “It was inspirational for the players to have the chance to meet Gareth Bale and receive the prizes from such a global sporting superstar. The first Gareth Bale Festival of Sport Championship was won by Callum Hook, Pyle and Kenfig, while Gareth Bale also welcomed and encouraged junior players across a wide range of sports.

SOON-TO-BE free agent Gareth Bale has revealed he won't be short of options when it comes to choosing his next club.The 32-year-old is set to depart R.

Page said: "It ticks all the boxes. Cardiff City have also been linked with a move for the winger. Bale also helped Wales qualify for their first World Cup since 1958 on Sunday, playing a part in the winning goal.

Get all of the latest Football news from NationalWorld. Providing fresh perspective online for news across the UK.

Burnley - 25/1 Southampton - 20/1 Rangers - 20/1

Gareth Bale says he will postpone his retirement plans after Wales qualify for the World Cup in Qatar with a 1-0 win over Ukraine in Cardiff.

"We've come a very long way, we want to make sure this carries on. When quizzed before the World Cup play-off decider if he had any offers, he light-heartedly replied: "I've got loads!" We've been dreaming of this for a long time now.

Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenny has joked that Gareth Bale could sign for the Welsh club after he helped Wales qualify for the World Cup.

After Sunday’s game, the forward said that he had ‘loads’ of options to pick from this summer, and that certainly appears to be true with former club Tottenham and Newcastle reportedly in the running, and a move to the MLS also rumoured. He will need to find a new club however, after leaving Real Madrid this summer at the end of his contract, bringing to an end his successful yet tumultuous nine-year spell in Spain. Wales beat Ukraine 1-0 in Cardiff on Sunday to secure their place at the tournament that is due to be held in Qatar in November.

The Wales captain, 32, is in need of a new club after it was confirmed he will leave Real Madrid upon the expiration of his contract.

Both Bale's camp and sources at the club have refused to rule out a deal over the last few weeks, although there is an acceptance on both sides that this is a transfer which will need careful consideration in order for it to work for all parties. The prospect of signing the Welsh talisman took a giant leap forward after Wales secured their place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Sunday night. Bale himself said that the outcome of that Wales-Ukraine match would be significant in deciding his future, stating before Sunday's clash: "I'll decide [my future] after the game.

Luke James. While Gareth Bale might have put retirement on hold “for a little bit” after last night's victory, he should still consider swapping his boots ...

Folk singer Dafydd Iwan belted out his self-written folk song ‘Yma o Hyd’ together with the Welsh fans.” “A detail that honours Bale and his whole team,” reads the headline. Ukraine’s own Sport website compared his performance to the eponymous Cognac brand. Spain’s El Pais told readers: “When it was all over and Wales and Gareth Bale had won their ticket to the Qatar World Cup, the 78-year-old singer Dafydd Iwan went out on the pitch again, as before the match, to sing the Yma o Hyd, a hymn of Welsh resistance that he composed in 1983 and with which the Cardiff City Stadium was hoarse, which was still overflowing more than half an hour after they had defeated Ukraine.” Meanwhile, Marca, who most controversially referred to Bale as a “parasite”, now call him a “star” and round-off their match report with “Lo Balen”, a play on words of “Lo Valen” (they’re worth it.) Today, the same newspaper is running a video of the “very emotional” moment Bale comforted Ukraine’s Oleksandr Zinchenko in a “great gesture” before the whole squad headed over to applaud the Ukrainian supporters.