Fans pay tribute to Gareth Bale on social media as the Welsh icon announces SHOCK retirement

Gareth Bale announced his retirement on Monday, with tributes showered to congratulate the Welsh icon on his career.

The former Tottenham and Real Madrid striker had only signed with MLS side LAFC seven months before he hung up his boots, having just returned from leading Wales to their first World Cup since 1958.

The former Wales captain hinted at a possible future coaching job in his announcement as he looks to move on from a playing career at just 33 years old.

Welsh icon Gareth Bale announced his retirement from professional football on Monday.

Bale announced his immediate retirement in a statement he shared on Twitter on Monday.

Former club Tottenham honored their former player with a post on Twitter, writing: ‘

Thanks for everything, @GarethBale11. Congratulations on an amazing race.’

Followers on Twitter were quick to praise the Welsh legend’s achievements in the game, with many labeling him the greatest British player of all time.

One fan wrote: ‘The greatest British player of all time. Done.’

Another echoed the sentiment, stating: “I’ve been a part-time footballer for a while, but in his prime Gareth Bale was just unplayable.”

Fans were quick to call Bale one of the greatest British players of all time.

‘Pace, power, merciless finishing, aerial ability, he had it all. 5 Champions League titles will not be surpassed by another Briton.

‘Definitely in the conversation for the greatest British player of all time…’

A third said: “Two things immediately came to mind upon learning of Gareth Bale’s retirement.

‘one. It has good reason to be considered the biggest export of British football.

‘2. Being present at the seminal ‘Taxi for Maicon’ game in 2010 (also one of the best atmospheres I can remember).’

LaLigaTV’s Andy West agreed, adding: “Few elite players had such dramatic peaks and valleys in their career as Gareth Bale. In his prime he was unstoppable, totally dynamite.

‘Perhaps the best British player I have ever seen. But in recent years, the phrase ‘shadow of his old self’ doesn’t even come close.’

Bale scored 72 goals and provided 60 assists for Tottenham in two spells in north London.

And Welsh fans in particular paid tribute to Bale, who is arguably the greatest exponent of Welsh sport in its history.

The 33-year-old was his country’s all-time leading goalscorer with 41 goals and made more appearances than any other Welsh male player, racking up 111 caps for Rob Page’s men.

And as a winner of five Champions League medals, Bale is also arguably the most successful Welsh player at club level.

One Twitter user said of Bale: “A Welsh legend, a football legend and one of the greats in the sport.” An icon in his home country, as well as on a global scale. Bale is really one of the players who was underestimated because of the players around him.”

A second wrote: ‘A hero, an icon and an inspiration to all of Wales. Thank you Bale’, followed by a red love heart and a Welsh flag.

A third paid tribute to the now-retired great with: ‘Welsh legend Gareth Bale. he announced his retirement and the end of his football career. Happy retirement, legend.

And a fourth simply offered: ‘Captain, leader, legend Long live Gareth Bale’.