Welsh football icon Gareth Bale has shared insights into his new life in retirement after bidding farewell to his illustrious career at the age of 33.

The Cardiff-born sensation called time on an extraordinary career following the 2022 World Cup, retiring as Wales' most-capped player with 111 appearances and their all-time top scorer, having netted 41 times in the iconic red shirt. He also guided Wales to three major tournaments, with the campaign in Qatar marking their first World Cup in 64 years.

On the club front, Bale kick-started his career at Southampton before rising to fame at Tottenham Hotspur and securing a then-world record £85million transfer to Real Madrid. It was at the Spanish giants that he clinched five Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles, cementing his legacy as one of the most decorated players of the modern era, as he concluded his playing days in MLS with Los Angeles FC.

Less than three years after hanging up his boots, Bale concedes that his day-to-day life now looks markedly different. Speaking to WalesOnline at the Gareth Bale Festival of Sport at the Celtic Manor, the former winger opened up about how he's spending his retirement - here's what he had to say.

Family matters

Since retiring, Bale has been making the most of his newfound free time, dedicating as much of it as possible to his family.

Bale, who tied the knot with his childhood love Emma Rhys-Jones in 2019, is a proud father to four children - Alba, Nava, Axel and Xander, the youngest born in 2021.

The pressures of professional football often meant that Bale missed out on precious moments with his growing family. Now, he's determined to make up for lost time, creating unforgettable memories with family trips to destinations like Abu Dhabi, Lapland and the United States.

Yet, like many parents, the Welsh football icon admits that his children keep him "very busy", with "a lot of taxi driving" now featuring prominently in his daily routine.

"I'm just doing a bit of everything, having a normal life really," he confessed. "I'm with the family quite a lot, spending time with my wife, playing some golf. I'm doing the normal things and not having too much to do, but enough to keep me busy.

Gareth Bale's new life after retirement as legend embarks on new job