Gareth Bale announces retirement from football: ‘I have realised my dream’

• Wales international calls time on career at age of 33
• Football has truly given me some of my best moments'

Gareth Bale, Wales men's all-time leading goalscorer and a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, has announced his retirement from football. Bale, one of Britain's most decorated players, has stepped away from the game midway through his contract at Los Angeles FC, which was due to expire this summer.

Bale's decision comes little more than a month after he vowed to continue playing after Wales's disappointing group-stage exit at their first World Cup finals tournament for 64 years. Bale captained Wales on his first appearance at a World Cup finals.