Gareth Bale to Play Friendly Match 2 Years after Retirement

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is set to return to the pitch for a friendly match next week, more than two years after announcing his retirement from football, according to multiple reports on Tuesday.

The Sun revealed that the 36-year-old Welshman will feature in a special exhibition game on Saturday in Seoul, South Korea, where he will line up for FC Spur against Shield United.

Bale won’t be the only legend involved, as FC Spur will also include the likes of Thierry Henry, Kaká, Ronaldinho, and Wayne Rooney, with Arsène Wenger managing the team. Shield United, meanwhile, will feature Rio Ferdinand, Alessandro Nesta, Carles Puyol, and Nemanja Vidić, coached by former Liverpool boss Rafa Benítez.

Bale, who retired in January 2023, has since embraced a quieter life, pursuing his passion for golf while also working as a football pundit for TNT Sports, where he recently replaced Rio Ferdinand.

Fans in Seoul will now get the rare chance to see Bale lace up his boots again, this time in a star-studded exhibition clash featuring some of football’s greatest names.