Prime Minister Rishi Sunak labelled Gareth Bale a "hero of mine" as MPs paid tribute to the Wales star after he announced his retirement from club and international football.
Bale confirmed he was hanging up his boots with immediate effect on Monday, following a glittering career which saw him win five Champions League trophies, a Spanish league title and numerous individual accolades. He also scored 41 goals in 111 appearances for Wales - making him the men's record goal-scorer and most-capped player - and led his country to their first World Cup in 64 years in Qatar.
In a heartfelt statement, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid star said he was "incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love," adding that football had "truly given me some of the best moments of my life".
While he was born in Cardiff, the 33-year-old's career started at Southampton, having joined the south coast club at the age of nine. Mr Sunak, who became Prime Minister in October following the resignation of Liz Truss, is a Saints fan and spoke about his childhood ambition to own the club, who are currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
At the first Prime Minister's Questions of 2023, the PM paid tribute to Bale after Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts invited the House of Commons to congratulate the former Wales captain on his sensational career and his contributions to the country as a whole.
Ms Saville Roberts said: "I'm sure the whole House will wish to join me in wishing all the best to Gareth Bale, the former captain of the Wales men's soccer team, who has been a national inspiration and took Wales to the football World Cup."
Mr Sunak responded: "Let me join with the honourable lady, as a Southampton fan, Gareth Bale also a hero of mine as well and I wish him well."
After confirming his retirement, Bale penned an emotional letter to Wales fans, having helped lead the team to two European Championships, including a historic semi-final, as well as a first World Cup since 1958.
"To my Welsh family," he wrote "My decision to retire from International football has been, by far the hardest of my career. How do I describe what being a part of this country and team means to me? How do l articulate the impact it has had on my life? How do I put in to words the way I felt, every single time I put on that Welsh shirt? My answer is that I couldn't possibly do any of those things justice, simply with words.
"But I know that every person involved in Welsh football, feels the magic, and is impacted in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel, without using any words at all. My journey on the international stage is one that has changed not only my life but who I am. The fortune of being Welsh and being selected to play for and captain Wales, has given me something incomparable to anything else I've experienced."
He added: "I am honoured and humbled to have been able to play a part in the history of this incredible country, to have felt the support and passion of the red wall, and together have been to unexpected and amazing places. I shared a dressing room with boys that became brothers, and back room staff that became family, I played for the most incredible managers, and felt the undying support and love from the most dedicated fans in the world. Thank you to every one of you for being on this journey with me. So for now I am stepping back, but not away from the team that lives in me and runs through my veins. After all, the dragon on my shirt is all I need. Together stronger. Diolch."
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