The five best goals of Gareth Bale's career

With Gareth Bale's recent announcement that he is to retire from both club and international football with immediate effect, it's only fitting that we take a look back at some of the Welshman's finest career goals. Selecting the five best was no easy task, with the former Spurs and Real Madrid star known for some spectacular strikes throughout his career.

5. Inter Milan vs TOTTENHAM (UEFA Champions League group stage – 20/10/10)

The game that truly announced Bale as a future world star actually came in a 4-3 defeat. Back then, Inter boasted an impressive defence containing the likes of Maicon and Walter Samuel, but Bale completely tore them to shreds with a scintillating hat-trick. The first of those makes this list. Operating as a left-back in those days, Bale collected the ball deep inside his own half before striding between two players, continuing his run into the penalty area and arrowing a powerful drive into the bottom corner. It was a sign of things to come.

4. WALES vs Scotland (World Cup qualifier – 12/10/12)

It's only fitting that we include one of Bale's 41 strikes for his beloved Wales. It was often 'Roy of the Rovers' stuff when he pulled on the red jersey, and that was exemplified in a World Cup qualifying match against British opponents Scotland back in 2012. The Scots were a goal to the good heading into the final ten minutes of a rain-soaked Cardiff City Stadium, when Bale took matters into his own hands, winning and scoring a penalty before conjuring a sensational winner out of the bag. Demanding the ball near the halfway line, the Welshman ran straight at the Scottish defence before unleashing an unstoppable drive beyond the despairing Allan McGregor.

3. Stoke vs TOTTENHAM (Premier League – 21/08/10)

The earliest goal on this list came all the way back in August 2010, and with the exception of a certain bicycle kick (more on that later), it was perhaps the most difficult skill to execute. When Spurs teammate Aaron Lennon dinked a ball into the penalty area, there was still plenty to do, but Bale instinctively hit a first-time volley into the opposite top corner, giving Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen absolutely no chance. What was most impressive about the strike is the height he hit the ball at, with very few players capable of executing such a technique.

2. Barcelona vs REAL MADRID (Copa del Rey final – 16/04/14)

Bale's first season at Real Madrid turned out to be his most prolific in terms of goals, but none were more memorable than the one which secured his first silverware in a Los Blancos shirt. The occasion couldn't have been much bigger; an El Clasico Copa del Rey final, and with the game seemingly headed for extra-time, Bale truly came alive in the 85th minute, picking up the ball on the left-wing, just inside his own half. Essentially assisting himself, Bale knocked the ball forward a good 30 yards, knowing he'd have the pace to burst past Marc Bartra, before surging into the penalty area and poking the ball into the net. Vintage Bale.

1. REAL MADRID vs Liverpool (UEFA Champions League final – 26/05/18)

There was never any doubt about this one. Bale actually scored twice in this final between two of Europe's most successful clubs, but we're obviously not talking about Loris Karius' howler here. With the game tied at 1-1, Bale was brought onto the pitch on the hour mark, and mere minutes later pulled off an outrageous bicycle kick that left the entire stadium stunned. Easily in the same bracket as Zinedine Zidane's memorable winner in the 2002 final against Bayer Leverkusen, Bale's acrobatic effort helped secure yet another European crown for Real Madrid.