By Gareth James
Gareth Bale joked he would be delaying his retirement “for a little bit” after he fired Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years on Sunday night.
Speculation had been rife that the Real Madrid star – who is set to become a free agent at the end of the month when his deal at the Bernabeu expires – would retire if Wales had failed to qualify for yet another World Cup.
But the 32-year-old stepped up when his country needed him most to fire in the free-kick that was deflected past Ukraine goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan to make history.
And after ending over half a century of pain with a slender 1-0 win, Bale made it clear that any potential retirement plans have been shelved as he prepares to jet off to Qatar later this year with Rob Page’s side.
When Bale was asked if the result meant he would be delaying his retirement, the Welsh wizard replied with a smile: “For a little bit!”
A host of clubs have been linked with signing Bale, who is expected to link up with a new side in order to keep himself ticking over ahead of the World Cup in November.
Bale’s hometown club, Cardiff City, Manchester United, Newcastle, clubs in the MLS and elsewhere have all been linked with a sensational swoop, while even Wrexham has been touted as a potential destination for the former £85million man.
But any decision over his immediate decision is likely to be put on the backburner, as Bale basked in “the greatest result” in Welsh history.
Good morning, Wales. pic.twitter.com/lQLWhQ1T7W
— Phil Blanche (@philblanche) June 6, 2022
He told Sky Sports: “Yeah the result is the greatest result in the history of Welsh football. We’re all ecstatic, you can see it with the fans, we’re going to the World Cup.”
He continued: “Everything, It’s what dreams are made of, it’s what we’ve been working for since we first got here, I’m speechless because I’m so happy. We did it for all our amazing fans. Words don’t describe how I feel at the moment.”
And Wales’ matchwinner revealed that he was touch and go for the crunch clash after struggling with a back spasm in recent weeks.
He added: “It was difficult, I haven’t done too much over the last four weeks because of my back spasm which everyone knows about.
“I was just happy to get through the game, contribute in any way I could, the important thing was to get the win and get through to the World Cup.”
Bale, so often Wales’ talisman, again produced the decisive moment with his 34th-minute free-kick headed into his own net by Andriy Yarmolenko.
But Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey took the man-of-the-match honours with an outstanding display that kept the gifted Ukrainians at bay.
What a moment! 🏴🎶#YmaOHyd | #WALUKR pic.twitter.com/wDsfMqsrfx
— Red Welsh FC (@RedWelshFC) June 5, 2022
So, over six decades after reaching their one and only World Cup in Sweden in 1958, Wales are back at football’s global table.
And, just like at Euro 2016 in France, Wales will find themselves in the same group as England, with Iran and the United States for company.
Success was achieved in the face of the world willing Ukraine on to victory against the odds.
Russia’s invasion of the country in February, and the bloody conflict that has ensued, made Ukraine the choice of neutrals.
But, as Bale said before kick-off, Wales could not show compassion on the field and that proved to be the case when nerves were stretched to the limit.
As Ukraine’s players wilted to the floor on the final whistle, Wales celebrated after banishing the ghosts of history.
So near, so far, in the past. Gut-wrenching failures had slipped into Welsh legend since John Charles and company reached the 1958 quarter-finals before losing to Brazil and a solitary Pele goal.
Joe Jordan’s handball at Anfield in 1977, more penalty heartbreak against Scotland eight years later, Paul Bodin’s decisive spot-kick miss at home to Romania in 1993 and a 2018 defeat to the Republic of Ireland haunted Welsh memories.
This time it felt different. Bale, despite being woefully short of game-time as his Real Madrid career drew to an inauspicious close, had dragged Wales over the semi-final line against Austria with a brilliant brace and he did it once more in the final.
We all love Rob Page 🏴❤️ pic.twitter.com/Po5rIa4pz6
— Ace Humphreys 🏴 (@homerboss10) June 5, 2022
Wales manager Rob Page told Sky Sports: “I’m so proud of the guys, they thoroughly deserved it. The one thing these boys were missing was a World Cup and now we’ve got there.
“These are the best supporters in world football, they helped us from the first minute.
“When you see what these guys do in training, I had full trust in them. Gary Speed started this 12 or 13 years ago and I’d like to dedicate that to him. He started the culture. There was a difference, a change to the environment.
“Chris Coleman took it on to another level and I’ve inherited that. We’re so confident going into games. We’re not hopeful of qualifying for the Euros and the World Cup, we believe we can do it.”
