Gareth Bale’s Offer to Join Wrexham ‘is Still on the Table,’ Rob McElhenney Says

Julia StumbaughJune 9, 2024

Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

Gareth Bale may have retired in January 2023, but Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney is still hoping the former Welsh soccer star will join his club, ESPN reported.

“Gareth Bale is still technically available. I don’t know, I made the plea last year and I’m just going to tell Gareth that the offer’s still on the table,” McElhenney said, per ESPN.

McElhenney went on to make his pitch to Bale: “We’ll let you off for golf, whenever you need to get off. As long as you come to training once or twice a week we can figure out how to get you 10 minutes on the pitch. And the golf courses— Wales is amongst the most beautiful countries in the world.”

McElhenney made a public pitch for Bale to “un-retire for one last magical season” with Wrexham last August, following the club’s promotion to the English Football League after 15 years.

Gareth Bale @GarethBale11Depends what course ⛳️… @RandA https://t.co/j4xHdXnAzs

Fellow Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds also encouraged Bale’s move, but the Welsh star turned down the opportunity because he “doesn’t want to play football anymore,” his agent told ESPN’s Mark Ogden last May.

The club then received a second consecutive promotion in April. Wrexham will spend the 2024-25 season in League One, two further promotions below the Premier League.

McElhenney now seems to be hoping that second promotion will be enough to change Bales’ mind, and potentially draw the Welsh legend out of retirement for his age-35 season.

Bales announced his retirement at age 33, just after the 2022 World Cup and his sole MLS season with LAFC. The former Tottenham and Real Madrid star winger finished his professional career with 41 goals in 111 appearances for his home country.