After hanging up his boots and stepping away from professional football, Gareth Bale isn’t done making headlines.
But this time, instead of lighting up the pitch, he’s aiming to take charge off it—with a serious bid to buy his boyhood club, Cardiff City.
From Champions League Glory to Boardroom Ambitions
Bale, who retired in 2023 after a trophy-filled career that included five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and over 100 caps for Wales, is now eyeing football ownership.
He’s teamed up with a group of U.S. investors and has made a formal offer—£40 million, to be exact—for Cardiff City.
This isn’t just any club for Bale. It’s home.
Speaking at the London premiere of F1: The Movie in June, the 35-year-old revealed how personal the bid is to him.
“It’s my home club, it’s where I grew up,” he said.
“To be part of an ownership group would be a dream come true.”
Why Cardiff? And Why Now?
Cardiff City is currently in a rough patch.
The club was relegated to League One last season—their first drop to the third tier since 2003—and morale among fans has taken a hit.
Enter Bale, who says he wants to help rebuild and return the club to its rightful place in the Premier League.
“We’re trying to engage with Cardiff and hopefully we can get something done,” he said, adding that he knows just how passionate Welsh fans are.
Cardiff’s Ownership Situation
The club’s current owner, Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan, has been in charge since 2010 and has reportedly invested over £200 million into the Bluebirds.
While he’s expressed openness to selling, he also released a statement earlier this year affirming his commitment after relegation.
“I share your hurt and frustration,” Tan told supporters at the time.
“I am committed to getting us back.”
Even so, he’s said to be willing to listen to offers—though reports suggest Bale’s initial £40m bid may be rejected, just like a previous one.
Bale Not the Only One Getting Involved in Welsh Football
Interestingly, Bale’s former Real Madrid and Tottenham teammate Luka Modric recently joined the ownership group at Cardiff’s fierce Welsh rivals, Swansea City.
That adds an extra layer of drama if Bale ends up owning Cardiff—talk about a rivalry reboot.
Bale had also previously been linked to a possible move for Plymouth Argyle, but that plan now seems off the table as his focus sharpens on the club closest to his heart.
New Management, New Era?
Cardiff also announced a fresh start on the sidelines by hiring Brian Barry-Murphy as their new head coach.
Last season saw a managerial carousel featuring Erol Bulut, Omer Riza, and even a short interim stint by club legend Aaron Ramsey.
Clearly, the club is in desperate need of stability—something Bale and his group believe they can offer.
What Happens Next?
Though the £40 million bid might not seal the deal just yet, talks are ongoing, and both sides appear willing to find common ground.
Whether or not this specific offer is accepted, Gareth Bale seems determined to play a long game with Cardiff City.
One thing’s for sure—fans will be watching closely to see if the local boy who became a global superstar can bring pride and stability back to the club where his football dreams first began.