Pep Guardiola will be sure to invite Gareth Bale to a round of golf again following the legendary winger's retirement from the game.
Bale announced his retirement from football on Tuesday at the age of just 33 after battling several debilitating injuries towards the end of his playing days. The Tottenham and Real Madrid legend managed to maintain his fitness to represent Wales in their first World Cup since 1958 towards the end of last year and his last game was the heartbreaking defeat to England that saw them finish bottom of Group B.
Despite scoring incredible match-winning goals in the Champions League and Copa del Rey finals for Los Blancos, Bale was often a maligned figure in Madrid and was often criticised for his love of playing golf. Guardiola, also a keen player, has reiterated his invitation to Bale for a game now he has a bit more free time.
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"He was busy maybe now he has time, I will invite him again," the Blues boss said when asked about Bale's retirement. When asked if he ever tried to sign him, Guardiola added: "Too expensive!".
"What a player. Fantastic career, won a lot of things. I think he represents Wales with more than 100 caps and now he can become a fantastic golf player."
Turning attention to his own side, Guardiola also assessed the challenge Premier League strugglers Southampton, who won their first match under new manager Nathan Jones on Saturday in the FA Cup, will pose in Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final.
"Away game, better to be at home, they’re in a difficult position with new manager," he said. "We knew with Ralph [Hasenhuttl] what a struggle it was. The new manager has changed movements and patterns but we try to impose our game and try to win to reach the semi-final."
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