GARETH BALE

Real Madrid starts the Spanish league season overflowing with confidence that it can retain the domestic title despite Barcelona spending big to add top talent to its team.

MLS Sounders LAFC Soccer Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini jumps to celebrate with teammates after forward Kwadwo Opoku scored against the Seattle Sounders during the first half of an MLS soccer match Friday, July 29, 2022, in Los Angeles. Chiu)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Kwadwo Opoku and Carlos Vela scored in the first half, and Los Angeles FC beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Friday night in the home debuts of European superstars Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale. Seattle scored on an early own-goal by LAFC, but still dropped to 0-5-1 at the Banc during the regular season. Juve is in Los Angeles on its U.S. summer tour to face Real Madrid at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. Bale also visited his former Madrid teammates at their training session in Los Angeles earlier this week.

Kwadwo Opoku and Carlos Vela scored in the first half, and Los Angeles FC beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Friday night in the home debuts of European superstars Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale.

MLS LAFC Bale Soccer Gareth Bale poses for photos after being introduced as a new member of the Los Angeles FC MLS soccer club Monday, July 11, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Gareth Bale wants the world to know Los Angeles FC is not the 18th hole of his soccer career. Bale went through his first training session with LAFC on Monday morning. While bigger clubs undoubtedly will come calling afterward, Bale insists he doesn't intend to leave after the MLS season. But as those superstars did before him, Bale rejects the concept of joining MLS and slowing down.

Gareth Bale wants the world to know Los Angeles FC is not the 18th hole of his soccer career.

Although Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale weren't quite ready to play in Los Angeles FC's rivalry derby, both stars got an up-close look at the passion and potential in their new club. José Cifuentes scored two goals and Cristian Arango got the eventual winner late in the second half, leading LAFC past the LA Galaxy 3-2 on Friday night in another exciting edition of the clubs' El Tráfico crosstown rivalry. LAFC improved its record atop the Major League Soccer standings to 12-4-3 as it waits for the imminent debuts of its two superstar European signings.

Netherlands Wales Nations League Soccer Wales' Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between the Netherlands and Wales at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, June 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) (Peter Dejong)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Los Angeles FC has reached a deal with Welsh forward Gareth Bale to move to Major League Soccer after his departure from Real Madrid, a person close to the deal told The Associated Press. His contract expires this summer, making him a free agent after his up-and-down tenure with the current Champions League winners finally ends. He scored 106 goals in 258 appearances for Madrid, which won five Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns during his tenure. Bale and Chiellini both would be eligible to debut for LAFC after the secondary transfer window opens July 7.

Los Angeles FC has reached a deal with Welsh forward Gareth Bale to move to Major League Soccer after his departure from Real Madrid, a person close to the deal told The Associated Press.

In the Welsh capital, rivalries were put aside as a message of peace in English and Ukrainian was displayed on screens in the Cardiff City Stadium.

Comedian Elis James on why the win sending Wales to the World Cup brings a mixture of feelings.

Afterward, Ukraine's players wept in the rain while applauding their dejected supporters. Their efforts had provided a fleeting respite for their countrymen from Ukraine's war with Russia.

Wales Ukraine WCup 2022 Soccer Ukraine players react after Wales' Gareth Bale scored his side's opening goal during the World Cup 2022 qualifying play-off soccer match between Wales and Ukraine at Cardiff City Stadium, in Cardiff, Wales, Sunday, June 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) (Rui Vieira)CARDIFF, Wales — (AP) — Ukraine missed out on qualifying for the World Cup on Sunday after the war-disrupted team was beaten 1-0 by Wales in the European playoff final for the FIFA soccer showpiece. Andriy Yarmolenko inadvertently headed the ball into his own net while trying to clear Wales captain Gareth Bale’s first-half free kick. While Wales heads to a first World Cup in 64 years — opening against the United States in November — this was an agonizing end to Ukraine’s emotionally charged mission to qualify for Qatar while remaining under invasion by Russia. ___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Ukraine has missed out on qualifying for the World Cup after the war-disrupted team was beaten 1-0 by Wales in the European playoff final for the FIFA soccer showpiece.

Karim Benzema was in a supporting role to Cristiano Ronaldo the last time he was in a Champions League final.

Netherlands Wales Denmark Euro 2020 Soccer Denmark's Kasper Dolberg celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Euro 2020 soccer championship round of 16 match between Wales and Denmark at Johan Cruyff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Saturday, June 26, 2021. (Olaf Kraak/Pool via AP) (Olaf Kraak)AMSTERDAM — (AP) — Still riding a wave of emotion, Denmark won again at the European Championship. The Danes advanced to the quarterfinals at Euro 2020 by beating Wales 4-0 on Saturday, getting two goals from Kasper Dolberg exactly two weeks after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field during the team’s opening match. Both Eriksen and Dolberg played for Ajax, the team that plays its home matches at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Bale was one of Wales' key players when the team reached the semifinals at Euro 2016 in France.

APTOPIX Azerbaijan Turkey Wales Euro 2020 Soccer Wales' Aaron Ramsey, right, scores his sides first goal past Turkey's goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir during the Euro 2020 soccer championship group A match between Turkey and Wales the Baku Olympic Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan, Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (Naomi Baker/Pool via AP) (Naomi Baker)The Latest on soccer’s European Championship:___Aaron Ramsey scored the first goal to give Wales a 2-0 victory over Turkey at the European Championship. ___Large numbers of fans have been chanting for Turkey as the team warms us for its European Championship game against Wales in Baku. ___Austria forward Marko Arnautovic has been suspended from the team’s game against the Netherlands on Thursday for insulting a North Macedonian opponent. Just 4-3-3!” in a message to coach Frank de Boer to play an attacking lineup in the team’s opening match at Euro 2020.

Aaron Ramsey scored the first goal to give Wales a 2-0 victory over Turkey at the European Championship.

(Matthew Childs/Pool via AP)LONDON – Gareth Bale turned back time for Tottenham, while Chelsea and Manchester United seemed happy just to play out time. Chelsea kept its unbeaten record under manager Thomas Tuchel in a 0-0 draw with Man United as both teams appeared reluctant to risk losing one point in the hope of getting three. However, Mourinho warned that Bale would still have to rest for some upcoming games to manage his form and fitness. He had scored six goals and assisted three more in his team's previous 10 league games. The draw left Scott Parker's team unbeaten in five league games, with only one goal conceded during that time, but still 18th and three points adrift of safety.

Tottenham's Gareth Bale warms up during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. “I don’t think it is an obvious injury,” Mourinho said, adding that he was “surprised” by the latest fitness status of a fragile player who it’s increasingly clear he cannot rely on. And, frustratingly, another likely lay-off for the Wales international whose second spell at Tottenham just cannot get going. With Tottenham playing City in the league on Saturday, it looks like Bale won’t be at Etihad Stadium again. AdBale’s one league goal since his return remains the headed winner against Brighton on Nov. 1, a moment many thought would kickstart his second spell at Tottenham.

Tottenham's Gareth Bale, right, celebrates with teammate Eric Dier following the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. (John Walton/Pool via AP)LONDON – Gareth Bale soared into the air, connected with the ball and powered it into the net. It's taken more than seven years but Bale was Tottenham's match-winner again. And it had only required three minutes on the field for the substitute to clinch a 2-1 victory over Brighton on Sunday. “A bit of relief and a lot of happiness,” Bale said after being set up by Sergio Reguilon, who also switched from Real Madrid in September.

(AP photo/Matt Dunham, Pool)A two-week break for international matches has done nothing to suppress the relentless unpredictability of this season’s Premier League. No team had previously avoided defeat when 3-0 down as late as the 81st minute in the Premier League. “It’s really crazy at the moment,” said West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, who added that the feeling after Lanzini’s last-gasp strike was one of the best he has had in his career. Spurs were leading 3-0 at the time, thanks to goals by Son Heung-min and Harry Kane (2) in the opening 16 minutes. Palace had just one shot all match, and that was the contentiously awarded penalty converted by Wilfried Zaha in the 19th minute.

West Ham's Manuel Lanzini, right, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. Cruising 3-0 when Bale came off the bench in the 72nd minute against West Ham, Tottenham incredibly collapsed in a game it had been in control of to draw 3-3 in the Premier League on Sunday. “It’s a pity he couldn’t score the fourth goal that could kill the game,” Mourinho said. “For some reason they didn’t push on in the second half, try to kill off the game,” West Ham midfielder Declan Rice said. West Ham is a point further back.

Heung-min Son was rampant, scoring four in a league game for a first time — all assisted by Harry Kane, who got Tottenham's fifth. Sadio Mane took advantage, grabbing two goals in five minutes to give Liverpool a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge. Two minutes into the second half, Kane played in Son again as Tottenham went in front. The South Korean secured his first Premier League hat trick in the 64th minute after being set up by Kane’s lofted pass. Kane became the first player to set up a Premier League teammate for four goals, crossing for Son to chip goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

Soccer player Gareth Bale gestures to fans as he arrives at the training ground of Tottenham Hotspur in London, Friday Sept. 18, 2020. Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale is in London to complete his return to Tottenham. Bale left Tottenham for Madrid in 2013 for 100 million euros. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)LONDON – Seven years after leaving for a world-record fee to Real Madrid, Gareth Bale is back at Tottenham in a bid to reignite his career. Bale won four Champions League titles and two La Liga titles at Madrid but struggled for game time in recent seasons.

Spain's Ansu Fati is airborne as he attempts to control the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Spain and Ukraine at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. Spain goes top of its Nations League group by a point from Ukraine. Barely a year since he became Barcelona's youngest league scorer, he appears set to be the future for both club and country. NO WIN FOR GERMANYThe Nations League just isn't Germany's competition. The Nations League format keeps teams of similar competitive strength together.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi leaves the pitch after the the Champions League quarterfinal soccer match between Barcelona and Bayern Munich in Lisbon, Portugal, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020. The Spanish league is about to see another top player leave one of its clubs, all within a four-year span. The league wasnt hugely affected financially after Neymar left Barcelona or Ronaldo left Real Madrid. The league still benefited from Messis presence after Ronaldo left, but now it wouldn't have that same star power anymore. Since Neymar left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, Spain gained few top-notch players.

The problem for a number of big name soccer stars is that there's seemingly nowhere for them to go. "Clearly, this counts against the likes of Neymar and Bale, as clubs simply don't have the resources to support their acquisition. Chadwick believes the reluctance to purchase older big name players is a sign of what he terms "economic realism." Speaking last month, PSG's director of football Leonardo told Le Parisien that the player was free to leave the club. I like Phil, I think he's a fantastic footballer and all that stuff, but it would be a big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big-money signing and it's not our year for that."

He shows no respect for a player that has done so much for Real Madrid," Barnett told AFP. Bale, who joined Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2013, is reportedly weighing a return to the Premier League or the Chinese Super League. Like Bale, Real Madrid had a difficult time last season, finishing third and a distant 19 points behind archrival Barcelona. And in the Champions League, the defending champions were knocked out by Ajax in the last 16. In an attempt to overturn its fortunes, Real Madrid signed Belgian star Eden Hazard from Chelsea in June.