Bale retires from football - reaction & your memories

Timmy scored against Barcelona. He ran past Batra to win the trophy. He has 5 medals to his name, that's right. It says a lot about the man.

SMS Message: So many brilliant goals for club and country but favourite Bale moment has to be the winner against Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium in Euro 2016 qualifiers… the start of an amazing time for all Welsh football fans! from Harriet, Bridgend

So many brilliant goals for club and country but favourite Bale moment has to be the winner against Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium in Euro 2016 qualifiers… the start of an amazing time for all Welsh football fans!

When Bale emerged as a real talent, he was at Saints and Spurs.

These belters were from his time in the premier league.

You should say that I have that goal.

We should have a look at it. It would be rude not to.

His last club goal was a last-minute goal that helped Los Angeles FC win the MLS Cup.

This is where you can read about the match.

Being a long-time Los Angeles area resident, I remember scoring the game-tying goal with no time left in the MLS championship. Everything about him is shown by the ability and desire to get on the end of that cross.

They can wait for another day.

Before tonight's FA Cup action takes centre stage, let's just focus on what we know about Bale, he was one hell of a footballer.

Why now is one of the questions.

At the end of a disappointing World Cup for Wales, Bale said that he intended to continue playing.

Something different was said in the words of Cocker.

The announcement of Bale's retirement was made 41 days ago.

Former Wales international Joe Ledley says the current squad will feel “devastated” following Gareth Bale’s retirement.

Ledley, 35, won 77 Wales caps and starred for Wales alongside Bale at Euro 2016.

He says Bale enjoyed every moment whenever the Wales squad came together.

“He loved it. He loved the banter, meeting up, the training,” Ledley told BBC Radio Wales.

“He is going to miss that - he will miss meeting up with Wales. It’s a unique bond we all had.

“The boys in the team now are going to be devastated by the news – [particularly] when they meet up next time and he’s not there.

“But these things happen in football. [To retire] at the age of 33, I think everyone still thinks it’s young but it’s just the right time for him and his family.”

Former Cardiff, Celtic and Crystal Palace midfielder Ledley says there is no debate over Bale’s place in the list of Wales’ finest footballers.

“He is the best Welsh player of all time,” he added.

“To see him day-to-day in training and perform at the highest level, he was just an absolute athlete on and off the pitch.

“He has always looked after himself, always eaten right, and was so determined to drive his nation on to the next level.

“Not just that, he is an amazing human being, really down to earth considering what he has achieved in the game.

“I am obviously devastated to see him retire but I think over the last six to eight months, it’s sort of been on the cards. I think a lot of people expected after Madrid but he managed to get Wales to a World Cup.”

There is a debate going on about the future of Wales without Bale.

Everyone loves a good debate but the reality is that the outcome will change like the wind.

We don't know much, but we do know that Bale will leave a lasting legacy in the game.

One of the topics up for discussion in the Monday Night Club will be his retirement.

The link to the show is below.

Bale is the greatest British player of all time, according to many here. John Charles was voted Wales' greatest ever player by 22 other Wales legends in a November poll by the British Broadcasting Corporation. It's just saying.

You have done more for Welsh football and Wales as a whole than any other person has. Ask for Huw and Bryn if you want to play golf in Llangollen.

Leave your name on any text messages. I can't be certain, but there is a good chance that the message is from either of the two people.

It was a historic end to Bale's international career as he played on the biggest stage and scored Wales' first World Cup goal in 64 years. You can watch it above.