Top 10 Gareth Bale goals of all time | OneFootball

Wales legend Gareth Bale announced his retirement from both club and international football in 2023, and it’s fair to say he had a fantastic career.

According to Transfermarkt, he has made a combined 554 appearances for Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and LAFC, scoring over 180 goals, while he also won five Champions League titles during his time with Los Merengues.

Bale himself, though, will perhaps be most proud of his achievements with Wales – the forward led them to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, the country’s best-ever finish in a major tournament, while their qualification for last year’s World Cup was their first in 64 years.

10. Wales vs Slovakia, Euro 2016 group stage

Wales were making their first-ever appearance at the European Championships when their talisman stepped up to produce their first big moment of the tournament.

You would never bet against Bale from scoring from a free-kick, even from 35 yards, and Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik was wrong-footed as the set-piece was struck into the far corner thanks to the winger’s knuckle-ball technique. Wales went on to reach the semi-finals, as previously stated, before losing to Portugal.

9. Barcelona vs Real Madrid, La Liga, 2018

When Bale signed for Real, he became the most expensive player of all time. Befitting of a player with such a label, he had the ability to score goals in the biggest matches, just as he did in El Clasico during the 2017/18 campaign.

Barcelona had already been crowned La Liga champions by the time the two sides met during matchday 36, but no meeting between the two is ever a dead rubber. As Real trailed with just over a quarter of an hour remaining, their number 11 curled a beautiful first-time effort into the top corner from outside the area to level the scores and ultimately earn a point for his side.

8. Inter vs Tottenham, Champions League group stage, 2010

Against Inter, Bale announced himself on the biggest club stage of all. After just over 30 minutes, Spurs found themselves 4-0 down against the reigning Champions League winners and were in danger of being truly embarrassed.

Bale, though, had other ideas, scoring a hat-trick and giving Brazil defender Maicon a torrid time. His first goal was particularly impressive, roaming forward from his left-back position inside his own half before burying a venomous shot beyond Julio Cesar. Tottenham still lost 4-3, but respectability had been restored.

7. Legia Warsaw vs Real Madrid, Champions League group stage, 2016

It took less than 60 seconds for Bale to make his mark against Polish outfit Legia Warsaw in 2016. Cristiano Ronaldo flicked on a speculative cross, and it seemed the Portuguese ace’s fellow forward would control the ball and look to work it into the area.

Instead, he unleashed a first-time volley into the corner in a show of marvellous skill. Real were eventually held to a 3-3 draw, but still won the tournament overall, beating Juventus 4-1 in the final.

6. Wales vs Scotland, World Cup qualifier, 2012

In 2012, Wales were a long way off the regular tournament appearances they have put together in recent years. They were without a win in their opening two 2014 World Cup qualification games before they hosted Scotland in Cardiff.

With the score at 1-1 heading into the final couple of minutes, the Welsh won a free-kick just inside the opposing half. Step forward Bale, who received the ball on the turn, ran 20 yards and then fired a stunning strike into the top corner, provoking wild celebrations amongst the home support. Wales were unable to book a place in Brazil, but their key man had shown he was capable of winning games on his own.

5. Real Madrid vs Elche, La Liga 2014

Bale came in for plenty of criticism during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, but he still managed more than 100 goals in all competitions for the club, with only 16 other players scoring more. One of those was an incredible effort against Elche in 2014.

The Cardiff-born ace had a knack for producing something out of nothing, and that is exactly what he did against Los Franjiverdes, unleashing a bullet that went in off the bar from all of 35 yards. Unstoppable.

4. West Ham vs Tottenham, Premier League, 2013

Just like for Wales, Bale was often required to produce moments of magic for Tottenham. One such occasion came when the London outfit travelled to city rivals West Ham United as the Lilywhites continued their push for Champions League qualification.

The game appeared to be ebbing towards a 2-2 draw before Bale intervened, firing beyond Jussi Jaaskelainen and into the top corner to clinch the three points.

3. Stoke City vs Tottenham, Premier League, 2010

Not every goal needs to be hit with power – some can be caressed beyond the goalkeeper, just like Bale’s controlled effort at the home of the Potters.

Most players would have needed to bring down Aaron Lennon‘s lobbed pass before dispatching a shot. The then-20-year-old, though, only adjusted his body before acrobatically volleying into the far corner. A truly magnificent goal.

2. Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Copa Del Rey final, 2014

Bale’s stint in Madrid will be remembered for a couple of moments in particular, with this effort the first of the two to appear on this list.

The left-footed talent’s pace was hardly a secret, but the way he managed to beat Marc Bartra’s despite having to run outside of the pitch markings was breathtaking and, with the Spaniard trailing in his wake, he then kept his cool before poking through the legs of Jose Pinto. That goal put Real 2-1 ahead and ultimately won them the trophy.

1. Real Madrid vs Liverpool, Champions League final, 2018

As Real won the 2018 Champions League final, beating Liverpool 3-1, Loris Karius later claimed a concussion was to blame for his errors leading up to Karim Benzema‘s strike and Bale’s second of the night. For the latter’s first, however, there was nothing he or any goalkeeper in the history of the game could have done.

Marcelo’s cross hardly looked dangerous, but Bale ultimately made it so. In a wonderful display of agility, he produced the perfect bicycle kick from just inside the area to give Madrid the lead. This description doesn’t do it justice – not only was it Bale’s best-ever goal, but it remains one of the greatest Champions League final goals of all time.