Gareth ‘Frank’ Bale was born on July 16, 1989 in Cardiff, Wales. His uncle Chris Pike was a former Cardiff City footballer. So Bale had a natural inclination to the game. At the age of nine he was good athlete playing rugby and football simultaneously. He idolised Manchester United star Ryan Giggs and dreamt of playing in the English Premier League. He went to Whitchurch High School situated in his hometown. At the age of 16 he helped the school’s U-18 team win the Cardiff cup.
He was immediately signed by Southampton and given a chance to debut on April 17, 2006. He was the second youngest player to ever play for Southampton. On August 6, Bale scored his first goal in the Premier League but only helped his team secure a draw against Pride Park. He soon began to be recognised as a free kick specialist. He was playing as left back but also contributed regularly to the scoring sheet. He was named the Football League Young Player of the Year for his outstanding performances in March 2007.
Tottenham Hotspurs soon signed a four-year contact with Bale seeing his rapid development and young age. During his stay at Southampton, he had made a total of 45 appearances scoring 5 goals. Bale debuted for Spurs in a friendly game against St.Patrick’s Athletic. In his next four games against Manchester United, Fulham, Arsenal and Middlesbrough he impressed by scoring three crucial goals. Due to an injury he had to sit out the season’s action.
In the 2008-09 season, Bale was sitting on the bench due to the early stages of his comeback from injury. He could not play many matches in that season and did not fare well in the chances he got. Soon he lost his place to Assou-Ekotto. But destiny came to Bale’s help when in the beginning of the2009-10 season Assou-Ekotto was injured. So Bale got back his place and this time he did not let go of his opportunity. He helped his team earn a Champions League qualification with his performance.
“The most important thing is to not waste your money.” – Gareth Frank Bale
Again in the 2010-11and 2011-12 seasons he was consistent and contributed towards his team’s improved performance. 2012-13 season was the defining season in Bale’s career. Now he had gone from being a left back to playing as a full-time left winger. His free-kick abilities with his left foot were well known. He became a totally new player this season coming into his element by scoring regularly. He was playing like he was born to be a striker.
His total approach to the game had changed. He began taking attacking responsibilities more and more. Soon he scored a hat-trick against Aston villa. His solo run-ins were being appreciated because the ball mostly ended up inside the goal.
As a result of his excellent showing of 22 goals in 33 matches he was awarded the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. Soon there were speculations of his transfer to the La Liga because he had now become one of the best left wingers in the world who was able to score stunning goals at will.
After much fan fare and excitement, the world received the news that Bale had received the highest transfer fees in history of world football. He received an astonishing 85.3 million Euros for a six-year contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid. He had come a long way from being ordinary unnoticed left back to leading the attack in one of the best teams in the world.
The success that Gareth Bale achieved will be remembered for a long time to come. His world record transfer fees have made this 24 year old Welshman one of the most popular and richest players on the planet. The world has its eyes fixed on Gareth Bale and hopes to see more amazing successes from this superstar in the near future.
Bale has worn a number of awards throughout his career including:
2015: The Football Manager Team of the Decade
- 2013: PFA Players Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Player of the Year
- 2011: PFA Players Player of the Year
- 2010: BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year
- 2007: The Football League Young Player of the Year