Bale aims for 2024 Euros and beyond

Wales captain says his move to MLS with LAFC gives him best chance to prolong career

LOS ANGELES:

Wales captain Gareth Bale says his jump to Major League Soccer gives him the best chance to play in the 2024 European Championship and maybe even the 2026 World Cup.

The long-time Real Madrid and Tottenham star winger was introduced Monday after his first workout as a member of Los Angeles FC, where he is signed through 2023 but hoping for a much longer stay.

"I have many years to come. I haven't come here just to be here for six months, 12 months," Bale said. "I've come here to try and be here as long as possible."

Five-time UEFA Champions League winner Bale made it clear his MLS journey is not planned as a stopover on the way to retirement.

"I want to do as well as I can and I want to try and make my mark on this league, on this team," Bale said. "I'm looking forward to the future. It's not just a short thing."

Bale, who turns 33 on Saturday, sees MLS as his best path to playing for Wales beyond this year's Qatar World Cup, the nation's first in 64 years.

His goal is playing in Euro 2024 and he has an eye on the 2026 World Cup that will be co-hosted by the United States with Mexico and Canada.

"It also gives me the best opportunity to keep going into the next Euros, maybe further, so my plan is to really work hard," Bale said. "We've got a great plan going forward to get me up to speed and hopefully last as long as possible.

"Being here gives me the best possible chance to get to the Euros – and maybe even one more. That's my goal. I feel like I'm here to play a big part."

Bale praised MLS, saying the league is better than Europeans believe.

"The standard here is really increasing. It's a lot better than the people in Europe really think," Bale said. "It's a league that's really on the rise."

Bale will face such challenges as time zones and a season that starts in February and runs to October plus playoffs.

"The transition is not, I guess, an easy one but I'm looking forward to the challenge," Bale said. "Being in the middle of a season is a bit different but I feel like I've been keeping myself fit in Europe's off-season and hopefully I can hit the ground running."