Rob Page has given his blessing to Gareth Bale potentially moving to Championship club Cardiff if Wales reach the World Cup finals.
Bale is out of contract this summer at Real Madrid and could already have played his last game for the club. Bale, who last played for Real on April 9, may miss out on a place in their squad for the Champions League final next Saturday against Liverpool in Paris due to a niggle.
But he was named in Wales’ squad on Thursday for their World Cup play-off final on June 5 in Cardiff. Wales are waiting to learn who they will face from the winners of Scotland and Ukraine on Wednesday June 1. If Wales lose, then Bale may retire from football altogether and hang his boots up after Wales’ upcoming camp which also includes Nations League games with Poland, Holland, twice, and Belgium.
But if Wales reach Qatar, boss Page says Bale should find a club for next season and reckons his local side Cardiff could be ideal as they share a training ground with the national team. Page assessed: “It ticks all the boxes. Ultimately, it’s Gareth’s decision and Cardiff City’s. It makes a lot of sense. He can base himself at a training ground he’s familiar with. He will absolutely need to be part of a club and training, even if he is not playing, at that tempo with other players every day.
“Ultimately, let’s see what happens on the 5th and I’ll probably be the first one after the game to ask the question.” Wales reached the final when captain and record scorer Bale, 32, scored twice in March against Austria, including a fantastic free-kick. They are one game away from the Qatar World Cup as Wales bid to reach their first finals this November since 1958. Bale may retire if they miss out but Page doesn't want him to. He added: “I wouldn’t want him to. The door is always open, for what he does in the changing room as well.”
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Bale is due to join up with Wales after Real’s Champions League final but could link up earlier if not involved. Page added: “If he is not going to feature at all and Real Madrid are happy with releasing him then of course we would like him on camp." Page named his squad on Thursday and has also included Aaron Ramsey, who has 20 goals in 70 games for his country. Ramsey, on loan at Rangers from Juventus, missed from the spot as the Scottish club lost the Europa League final on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Page said: “I have no doubt whatsoever if it comes to penalties that he will take one.” Ramsey missed after being brought on two minutes from the end of extra-time in a decision Page questioned. He said: "It's unnecessary pressure for the player. I wouldn't make the substitution. If it was forced and you have to take a penalty then you have to get on with it. But I wouldn't like to play god with regards to that."
