GARETH BALE has cemented his reputation as being one of the best footballers in the world following his record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid in 2013.
The 27-year-old was also key as Wales defied the odds to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016 with three goals adding to the seven he scored over the qualifying campaign.
On 28 November Bale was nominated for the 2016 Sports Personality of the Year following his success which included a Champions League win and reaching the semi-finals of a major tournament with Wales.
Here is what we know about the world star.
What’s his background?
A product from Southampton’s famous youth academy that has boasted the likes of Theo Walcott and Matt Le Tissier, Bale was destined to reach the very top.
Born in Cardiff, it was at school when the Saints first took notice of Bale at the age of nine when he was playing in a six-a-side tournament.
The club quickly snapped him up but they initially had concerns that he wouldn’t be tall enough and they had doubts over giving him a scholarship.
When did he make his debut?
Bale became the second youngest player ever to play for Southampton when he made his debut in a 2-0 victory over Millwall at the age of 16 years and 275 days on 17 April 2006.
Four months after making his debut, Bale scored his first league goal when he curled in a stunning free-kick to level the score against Derby.
It was then when Bale started to develop a reputation for being a free kick specialist but little did he know his wonderful left foot would soon be attracting the interests of Tottenham.
How much was his record transfer to Real Madrid worth?
Real Madrid broke a world record transfer when they landed Bale from Tottenham for £85.3million in September 2013.
The Wales international agreed a £300,000-a-week deal after six years at Spurs.
Tottenham made a staggering £78m profit having signed Bale from Southampton for just £7m.
How much does he earn a week?
Bale penned a new Real Madrid contract in October which saw his pay packet increase from £300,000-a-week to £350,000.
It means the Wales international makes around £15m per year making him one of the highest paid players in world football.
To put into context how much money Bale makes, it is equivalent to earning 56p a second.
What honours has Gareth Bale won?
In 2011 and 2013 Bale was named PFA Players' Player of the Year and was named in the UEFA Team of the Year.
He has also won the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2013.
Bale became the youngest player to play for Wales when he made his international debut in 2006 at 16 years and 315 days.
Bale's trophy cabinet at Real Madrid continues to grow having won;
- Champions League (2013-14, 2015-16)
- Copa del Rey (2013-14)
- Club World Cup (2014)
Is Gareth Bale married?
Bale only this year got engaged to his high-school sweetheart Emma Rhys-Jones but he is yet to wed his fiancee.
He announced the news in July this year in a celebratory Twitter post.
The Real Madrid star popped the question whilst on holiday in the Balearic Islands.
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