Why would he and his young family want to spend a couple of years in America when they can spend the rest of their lives in South Wales?
Good question….
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I'd be amazed if it isn't by far his primary focus, as it is THE WORLD CUP.
He's scored the winning goal in two different Champions League finals, scored in the shootout in a third, and has two more winning medals on top of that. He's won league titles, he's won cups, he's won world club cups.
He's done far more than he could have dreamed of in club football. The World Cup with Wales is the final frontier. How could playing a couple of seasons in the USA that he could still do at age 35, let alone age 33, be more exciting for him than that, very likely the only time he will play in a WC?
Because it wouldn't put him in the best position to reach maximum fitness and performance levels for the World Cup, at any other time I would see your point, but not at this crucial time in his life :thumbup:
His house, Cardiff City and the Vale Welsh Training base will fit perfectly for the preperation, it's where he has to be, he can travel/relocate to the USA as much as he likes when he's finished playing football.
I'd imagine the club wants some level of commitment from him otherwise however cool it would be to see him pull on the shirt for a few games, it's just disruptive to whatever we are trying to achieve. If his plan is a few months with us and then piss off somewhere else then probably better to cut ourselves out of the equation altogether.
I don't actually believe any of these hacks know what is going on and I certainly wouldn't trust bookies odds as they will move on 20 quid either way.
I don't understand the lure of America, money isn't great (in terms of his past salaries), standard is pretty poor, travel is absurd and it will likely wreck his world cup prep.
I've read plenty of player interviews where they've said representing their country at the World Cup is the highlight of their career. I haven't seen much from Bale over the years to imagine him saying anything different after he retires. So being a few months away from the World Cup, I would think it's his primary focus.
I said he could still play in the US at 35, he's quite capable of it, not that he definitely would still be playing then.
https://vimeo.com/723346328
Edit: this is just pretend, it's NOT real!
I’m sure it’s his primary focus (and maybe his only focus) in football terms, but I’m sure he’s got other priorities in life. I get the strong impression that Bale’s next move is very likely to be his last. I’ve got no doubt that he’ll be focusing on more than just the World Cup.
It's public now! Until I'm told to take it down!
https://vimeo.com/723346328
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/723346328?h=25b6d9a592" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/723346328">Bale Moves</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user179003818">Citizen's Nephew</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
Disclaimer: This is not real (Madrid)!
Surely with a young family you'd rather pick somewhere you'll be living long-term, near the rest of your extended family rather than the other side of the Atlantic? I think you've made good points on why he'd go elsewhere, but surely family reasons is one of our few advantages?