Biografia
Gareth Frank Bale (born 16 July 1989) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a winger for Real Madrid in Spain and the Wales national team. Known for his powerful long-range shots, curling free kicks, and rapid ability to outpace defenders, Bale has been praised by peers for his "tremendous speed, excellent crossing, a strong left foot, and outstanding physical attributes."
He started his professional career at Southampton as a left-back, gaining recognition as a free kick expert. In 2007, Bale transferred to Tottenham Hotspur for a £7 million fee. Throughout his time at Tottenham, changes in management and tactics shifted him into a more offensive role. Beginning in the 2009-10 season under Harry Redknapp, Bale became a crucial team member and gained international prominence during the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League. He earned the PFA Players' Player of the Year award in 2011 and 2013, was selected for the UEFA Team of the Year, and in 2013 received the PFA Young Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, and Premier League Player of the Season honors. He was also included in the PFA Team of the Year for three consecutive seasons from 2011 to 2013.
On 1 September 2013, Bale moved to Real Madrid for an undisclosed sum. Media reports at the time estimated the transfer fee between €91 million and €100 million. In January 2016, leaked documents confirmed a then-world record fee of €100.8 million, surpassing the previous record of £80 million (€94 million) paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. Bale played a vital role in his debut season at Real Madrid, aiding the club in winning the 2013-14 Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League, scoring in both finals. The next season, he secured the UEFA Super Cup and scored in the final to help win the FIFA Club World Cup. Two years later, Bale was instrumental in another Champions League victory in 2015-16 and was named to the UEFA Squad of the Season. He was also a finalist for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. In 2016, ESPN ranked him twelfth among the world's most famous athletes.
Bale made his senior international debut for Wales in May 2006, becoming the youngest player to represent the country at that time. He has earned over 70 caps and scored 31 goals, making him Wales' all-time leading scorer. Bale was the top scorer during Wales' successful UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with seven goals and played in the tournament where Wales reached the semi-finals, scoring three goals. He has been honored as Welsh Footballer of the Year a record six times.
