areth Bale, former Real Madrid star and one of the most iconic players in Welsh football history, attempted to take a new step in his football-related career—this time from the business side. According to The Athletic, the retired footballer led a consortium that submitted a proposal to acquire Cardiff City, a Welsh club currently competing in League One, the third tier of English football.

The acquisition attempt took place in May, when the group led by Bale approached the club's current owner, Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan, intending to negotiate a purchase. However, the interest was quickly turned down, as Tan made it clear he has no plans to sell the club at the moment. The proposal wasn’t even brought to the board for discussion.

Bale’s strong ties with Welsh football continue

At 35 years old, Gareth Bale continues to show his commitment to Welsh football. This isn’t the first time his name has been linked to Cardiff City; in 2022, prior to the World Cup in Qatar, there were rumors of him joining the club to stay fit ahead of the tournament. Ultimately, Bale chose to sign with Los Angeles FC, where he went on to win a title in MLS.

Bale’s interest in investing in football in his home country comes shortly after his former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modrić became a shareholder of Swansea City, another Welsh team. Although this particular attempt didn’t move forward, it highlights Bale’s desire to remain actively involved in football in new roles.

For now, Cardiff City will remain under its current ownership, while Bale continues to explore new ways to make an impact off the pitch.