Gareth Bale plans to end his playing career this summer if Wales fail to qualify for this year’s World Cup, but could consider joining a Championship club if he helps his country win the tournament in Qatar.

Wales will face a play-off against Austria in Cardiff in March and, if they win, they will then face either Scotland or Ukraine for a place in the final.

Wales have not qualified for the World Cup since 1958 and Bale wants to represent his country at the tournament before his career is over.

But if Wales fail at the play-offs, retirement could be considered for Bale, whose contract with Real Madrid expires at the end of the season.

However, if Wales reach their first World Cup in 64 years, Bale could consider signing a short-term deal with a Premier League or Championship side to make sure he’s ready for the tournament.

It is believed Bale, who turns 33 in July, may consider joining Cardiff or Swansea.

Bale joined Real from Tottenham for a then world record amount in 2013 and won four Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles in the Spanish capital.

However, he has been out of favor at the Bernabeu in recent seasons and spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Spurs.

Under Carlo Ancelotti this season, Bale has only made three appearances for Real.

“Bale achieved everything he wanted in club”

Sky Sports News’s Kaveh Solhekol …

“It’s an interesting story about Gareth Bale as he is obviously out of contract this summer. He has always maintained that he will stay at Real Madrid until the end of his contract, although he cannot play. -be not regularly.

“David Ornstein wrote something in athleticism about that today and it exactly matches some of the information we also have that Bale is focusing on Wales and the World Cup this year.

“Of course Wales have this big play-off coming up in March against Austria and then they will face either Scotland or Ukraine if they get the first draw.

“I think if Wales qualify for the World Cup they will find themselves without a club this summer because his contract will expire at Real Madrid. So I think he will try to sign a short term contract with a club then. back in the Premier League or the Championship.

“I actually think it’s more likely that it’s a Wales club in the Championship with which he signs a short-term contract.

“And if Wales do not qualify for the World Cup, I think there is a very good chance that Bale will retire from football when his contract expires this summer as he believes he has achieved all that he is doing. he had set himself in the game and if he can’t play the World Cup with Wales he will retire. “

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