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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Gareth Bale's agent reveals exactly why he retired and says he 'could surprise everybody' with next move

Gareth Bale's agent has revealed the Welshman retired after being unable to produce the goods at the highest level.

The 33-year-old shocked the world on Monday by confirming that he had quit both club and international football.

It came little more than a month after Wales' disappointing World Cup campaign in Qatar - with Bale's penalty against the USA being his side's only goal of the tournament.

READ MORE: Gareth Bale writes emotional letter to Wales as he quits football immediately

And Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, says the former Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and Los Angeles ace had nothing else to prove in the game.

“It’s completely Gareth’s decision, he thinks it’s the right time and I agree it is," he told talkSport.

“It’s been on his mind. Obviously the World Cup was something that he wanted to do and he was working towards that and I think it’s great that he’s finally made a decision. He’s very happy and content now.

“I think he realised his body is not what it was and he didn’t want to put himself through it anymore.

“When you reach a level that he’s at I think it’s important that you bow out at the right time. He doesn’t need to do anything else, he’s proved everything, he’s got a list of achievements that are quite amazing.

“I think he’s the best player Britain has ever produced. Why carry on? He couldn’t play at the level he wanted to anymore.”

Bale retires as the record goal scorer and record cap holder of the men's side while five Champions Leagues were the pick of his trophy haul at club level.

It remains to be seen what the next step will be for Bale following his retirement, although the 111-cap international has a number of business ventures to his name.

And Barnett refused to rule out the possibility that Bale takes up golf on a full-time basis after leaving football.

“I don’t think so," he responded when asked if Bale could become a professional golfer. “But who knows, he could surprise everybody and just do it!”

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