Gareth Bale explains why you still don't say no to Real Madrid (2025)

Since retiring from football very much on his terms two years ago, Gareth Bale has put some distance between himself and the game he devoted his life to.

The Wales legend bowed out at the relatively tender age of 33 having amassed a stunning haul of silverware at Real Madrid that included five Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns.

Bale did not hesitate to leave the Premier League to join arguably the biggest club in world football – a situation currently facing Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold who appears set to become the next British star to find a new home in Madrid.

Alexander-Arnold will not be the last player to swoon over the call from Los Blancos and looking back on his own decision to head to Spain, it remains the best decision of Bale’s career.

The former winger left Madrid in 2020, returning to Tottenham for an emotional homecoming before ending a glittering career at Los Angeles FC.

Having remained out of the limelight since, Bale has enjoyed his time out of the game but is not ruling out a return in some capacity in the future.

Speaking to Metro as part of Heineken 0.0’s ‘The Big Pour’ campaign, the man who terrorised defenders for fun reflects on his career for club and country.

It’s just over two years now since you decided to officially retire – how have you enjoyed life away from football?

I always knew retirement would be an adjustment; I spoke to a lot of past players who gave me some good advice. For me though it has been great to be able to spend that quality time with my family, to take my kids to school and be there on the weekend on the sidelines. As everyone knows the football schedule is very busy, so to have this time now while my kids are still young is amazing.

When you reflect on your success with Real Madrid and Wales, what is your proudest moment?

It is difficult to pick just one moment that stands out above the rest. Of course, winning the Champion’s League was a childhood dream, so to do that 5 times is something I will always look back on as a special achievement. And then with Wales, again it is difficult to pick just one – the Euro 2016 campaign was a once-in-a-lifetime experience but also qualifying for our first World Cup in 64 years and captaining the nation, is something I am extremely proud of.

When you look back on the time Real Madrid’s interest in you first emerged, how did you immediately react?

As a footballer you always want to play for the biggest clubs and win the biggest trophies in the game. So, when the opportunity came to play for Real Madrid, a club that I had loved since I was a kid, it was one that I couldn’t turn down.

Is it true when people always say, you just don’t say no to Real Madrid?

I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me when the opportunity came, I couldn’t say no. I think it is well known that Real Madrid is a club I have loved since I was young – there is a photo of me wearing the shirt somewhere when I was a boy. So, for me it was always a dream to go and play in the Bernabeu.

Has a more permanent return to football – be it as a coach, pundit or any other role – ever really appealed to you?

At the moment, I am really enjoying the time with my family. Football has been my life since I was first able to walk, so I am just taking some downtime, but you never know what the future holds.

What is The Big Pour all about?

The Big Pour is all about marking a milestone by celebrating the 1,000^th tap of Heineken 0.0 that was unveiled in the UK. To celebrate, Heineken set the world record for the most amount of pints poured simultaneously with pubs from all over the UK joining in on a Zoom call and you had over one hundred publicans pouring a pint of Heineken or Heineken 0.0 all at the same time. The reason I teamed up with Heineken 0.0 was to help normalise the options that people have these days for no and low alcohol choices and with 1,000 taps of Heineken 0.0 available around the UK, it’s never been easier to be a non-drinker and without the pressure of having ‘just the one’.

Why is 1,000 0.0 taps such a big milestone, especially for people who don’t drink or are looking to reduce their alcohol consumption?

It’s such a big milestone because it goes to show that attitudes and behaviours around alcohol are changing and people can go to the pub for the right reasons – to meet friends and family and not having the pressure to have an alcoholic drink. I’ve never drank myself as I was always so focused on my performance on the pitch and didn’t want anything to distract me from my training or ahead of a matchday, but I’ve always loved being able to spend time with friends and family and heading out to watch the sport or to just enjoy the atmosphere in a pub.

Why do you drink NoLo beer and how important is it to have Heineken 0.0 on Draught in pubs?

I’ve never been into alcohol. However, I do love the pub, especially as a place to socialise, and I don’t think catching up with mates at your local should come with pressure to drink. For me, being able to order a pint of 0.0 from the tap helps remove the questions, and nine times out of ten, anyone suggesting I “just have one” simply because I don’t stand out. I’m just ordering a pint on draught from the bar like everyone else. Also, for my friends who do enjoy a regular beer, you see a lot of them swapping in a pint of 0.0 every now and again so they can enjoy things more at their own pace.

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