Gareth Bale deserves a statue outside the Cardiff City Stadium, according to Wales boss Rob Page.
Page admits he was shocked to learn this week of Bale's retirement aged 33. But he reckons the grateful nation will forever treasure their record scorer for helping put Wales on the map. Bale, who won 111 caps, inspired Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, before captaining them to Euro 2020 and their first World Cup in 64 years.
Asked if Bale deserved a statue at Cardiff's ground where Wales play, Page replied: “Of course, I would fully support that. Not just for what he has done for the football team but Wales as a country. He has put us on the map globally.
“You have to do something for him, he has been such a legend and an icon. It is phenomenal what he has done for us as nation. What a career that man has had.”
Bale had planned to play on at Los Angeles FC before deciding he couldn’t get his fitness to the required level after labouring at the World Cup. But despite Bale retiring as a player, Page still hopes to tap into the star’s vast experience to help Wales in the future for the start of Euro 2024 qualifying in March.
He said: “When you have somebody of Gareth Bale’s stature, I have to take advantage of that. In what capacity, that is something we will have a chat about further down the line in the next couple of weeks. I would like to keep him involved.”
Bale may have finished playing but the Wales hero is still going to help shape the future of the national team. Dragons boss Rob Page admits Bale’s retirement is not an ideal start to 2023 ahead of qualifying in March for Euro 2024. But Page understands and accepts Bale’s decision post the World Cup, where he scored Wales’ only goal.
Page is now already focused on the future and trying to improve on Wales’ disappointing performances in Qatar, where they finished bottom of Group B.
He wants Bale's input as a coach or ambassador and also plans to debrief Qatar with Wales’ record appearance holder and scorer, who bagged 41 goals in 111 internationals.
Page said: “I want to have a discussion with him about Qatar and how that went over there and have some feedback from a player’s point of view. There will be discussions later down the line.
“It is sad in a way we will never get to see Gareth Bale put on a pair of boots again for Wales. But when I spoke to him, I agreed it is may be the right time. He has done everything he wanted to achieve.
“He has taken Wales to a World Cup and scored in a World Cup. I completely agree and understand why he has done it. It is not the news we wanted at the start of the year. It did come as a surprise. But we all knew it would come one day.”
After analysing where Wales went wrong in Qatar in games against USA, Iran and England, Page will then turn his attention to naming a new captain. Tottenham defender Ben Davies,29, is the hot favourite as a model pro and Welsh speaker in the squad.
Page admitted: “It will come as no surprise when it is eventually announced. We have a good group of senior players who lead by example but there is one that stands out for me. I have somebody in mind.”
But despite losing Bale to retirement, Page is confident fellow veteran Aaron Ramsey,32, will not follow him out of the door. He said: “I don’t envisage two or three others doing the same. With regards to Aaron, I still think he has a lot to give. You look at his stats for distance covered and sprints, he tops the table for us in the World Cup.”
After quitting playing, Bale is now expected to prioritise his passion for golf as underlined in the infamous banner he was pictured alongside stating: “Wales, Golf, Madrid. In that order.”
Page added: “He was really passionate about his country and golf. He publicised it time and again. He wasn’t afraid to tell people where he was with the pecking order with golf and club football and playing for Wales. It shone through.”
