Gareth Bale returns to LAFC for MLS Cup championship ring ceremony after his retirement from soccer as he parades the final trophy of his career in front of fans ahead of former team’s title defense opener
Gareth Bale made his return to Los Angeles as he walked out with the MLS Cup ahead of LAFC’s season opener after retiring earlier this year.
The soccer star announced his retirement following the World Cup, but he was on hand for LAFC’s MLS Cup championship celebration ahead of their home game against the Portland Timbers on Saturday.
Bale and his former LAFC received their championship rings and the club unveiled its banners as part of the pre-game ceremony at a sold-out stadium.
Banners celebrating LAFC’s two Supporters’ Shield titles and its 2022 Western Conference and MLS Cup championships were unveiled above the east stands at BMO Stadium during the pregame festivities.
The former Real Madrid man kickstarted the celebrations by walking out on to the field with the trophy in hand to parade in front of the fans.
Gareth Bale made his return to Los Angeles for his former team’s MLS Cup celebrations
LAFC unveiled its banners and held its ring ceremony before its game on Saturday
Despite playing a limited role for LAFC last season, he came up clutch when it mattered most, scoring a crucial equalizer in the MLS Cup final.
With his team trailing to the Philadelphia Union, Bale smashed a header home to level the score and take the game to a penalty shootout, where Los Angeles emerged victorious.
Following the celebrations, LAFC went on to open its defense of the MLS title with a 3-2 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday.
Giorgio Chiellini scored his first MLS goal, while Carlos Vela and Mahala Opoku also scored for the home side.
Evander scored his first MLS goal for Portland, and Cristhian Paredes added a late score in the Timbers’ third straight loss to LAFC.
LAFC improved to 6-0-0 in season openers, matching Dallas as the only MLS clubs to achieve that feat in their first six openers. Los Angeles also became only the second defending MLS Cup champion to win its opener in the past seven years.
Bale is set to be offered a roving role by the Welsh FA following his retirement from football on Monday.
The defending champions went on to win 3-2 after holding off a comeback from Portland
One of Britain’s greatest players called time on a career that brought 21 major trophies, including five Champions Leagues, as well as three major tournaments with his country.
Wales chiefs are keen to keep Bale involved and are poised to hold talks with the 33-year-old’s camp in the coming days.
Sportsmail understands an ambassador’s role one of the options to be discussed. That would allow him to spend time with the squad as well as in official circles.
But he most recently spent his retirement enjoying a sport other than soccer as he participated in the PGA Tour’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February.
Bale, along with professional partner Joseph Bramlett, finished 16-under for the event, but was well short of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’s winning 26-under.