Gareth Bale says his 'dream became a reality' in goodbye letter to Real Madrid

Welsh attacker will leave European and La Liga champions when contract expires at end of June

Gareth Bale celebrates scoring for Real Madrid in their Champions League final win over Liverpool in 2018. Reuters

Gareth Bale scores a spectacular overhead kick for Real Madrid against Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final in Kiev. Getty

Gareth Bale kisses the Champions League trophy after beating Liverpool in 2018.

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale collects his medal after he was an unused substitute in their 2022 Champions League final win over Liverpool at Stade de France in Paris. PA

Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring on his Real Madrid debut against Villarreal in 2013. AP

Gareth Bale of Real Madrid lifts the Champions League trophy after his side beat Juventus 4-1 in the final in Cardiff in 2017. Getty

Gareth Bale celebrates after scorng his second goal during the Champions League final win over Liverpool in 2018. AFP

Gareth Bale after Real Madrid's Champions League final win over Liverpool on May 28, 2022. Getty

Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his third goal against Kashima Antlers in the 2018 Fifa Club World Cup semi final at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, left, shakes hands with manager Santiago Solari after scoring a hat-trick in their 3-1 win over Kashima Antlers at 2018 Fifa Club World Cup. Reuters

Gareth Bale scores for Real Madrid against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League in 2014. AFP

Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring Real's opening goal in their La Liga match against Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2015. Getty

Gareth Bale scores for Real Madrid against Kashima Antlers in the 2018 Fifa Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale celebrates scoring their second goal against Kashima Antlers in Abu Dhabi at the 2018 Fifa Club World Cup. Reuters

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale celebrates scoring a goal with Marco Asensio. Reuters

Gareth Bale has ended his nine-year stay at Real Madrid. Wolfgang Rattay / Reuters

Gareth Bale celebrates scoring for Real in the Champions League match against Legia Warszawa in 2016. Getty

Gareth Bale celebrates Real Madrid scoring in the Champions League semi-final, second leg against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu on May 4, 2016. Getty

Gareth Bale celebrates with Real Madrid teammates after beating Sevilla in the Uefa Super Cup in Cardiff in 2014. EPA

Gareth Bale with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez after completing his move to Spain. AP

Gareth Bale's trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid has come to an end with the Welsh attacker writing a goodbye letter to the Spanish club.

Bale will leave Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of June, with the 32-year-old yet to confirm what he will do next.

He was a non-playing substitute in Real’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool in Paris at the weekend, bringing an end to a nine-year spell in the Spanish capital.

After joining Real from Tottenham Hotspur for €100 million in 2013, Bale went on to win 16 major trophies at the club, including five Champions Leagues, three La Ligas and one Copa del Rey.

He also won three Fifa Club World Cups, three Uefa Super Cups and a Spanish Super Cup.

“I write this message to say thank you to all my team mates past and present, my managers, the backroom staff, and to the fans that supported me,” Bale posted on his Twitter account.

“I arrived here nine years ago as a young man who wanted to realise my dream of playing for Real Madrid.

“To wear the pristine white kit, to wear the crest on my chest, to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, to win titles and be part of what it’s so famous for, to win the Champions League.

“I can now look back, reflect and say with honesty that this dream became a reality and much, much more.

“To be a part of this club’s history and to achieve what we achieved while I was a Real Madrid player has been an incredible experience and one I will never forget.

“I also want to thank President Florentino Perez, Jose Angel Sanchez and the board for giving me the opportunity to play for this club.

“Together we were able to create some moments that will live forever in the history of this club and football.

“It has been an honour. Thank you! HALA MADRID!”

The 32-year-old scored more than 100 goals for Real, three of them coming in Champions League finals, including a stunning overhead-kick against Liverpool in 2018.

Bale’s relationship with Real fans and the Madrid media had soured in recent seasons, with his commitment to the club called into question.

He spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Tottenham and, in another injury-hit campaign, made just seven appearances in his final year at Real.