Gareth Bale keen to stay in MLS for as long as possible

Gareth Bale wants the world to know Los Angeles FC is not the 18th hole of his soccer career The golfloving Welsh forward intends to keep playing for club and country for several more seasons and he hopes to fill those years winning trophies with his new stateside teamIm up for everything here Bale said MondayI still have many years to come I havent come here to just be here for six months 12 months Ive come here to try and be here for as long as possible I want to do as well as I can I want to try to make my mark on this league on this team I look forward to the futureBales declaration of his longterm intentions undoubtedly will please his new LAFC fans who were hoping the longtime Real Madrid forward wasnt simply using the team atop the Major League Soccer standings as a place to get fit for Wales landmark return to the World Cup in Qatar this fall after a 64year absenceThe 32yearold Bale also gave a thrill to his home nation when he confirmed his intention to play in the 2024 European Championships keeping his place among the greatest group of Welsh football talent in decadesIts not just a shortterm thing Bale saidLAFC also gives me the best opportunity to go to the next Euros maybe further So my plan is to really work hard Weve got a great plan going forward to get me up to speed and hopefully it lasts as long as possibleLAFC formally introduced Bale to an extensive media gathering inside Banc of California Stadium but the clubs fans already met Bale outside on the field three days earlierHe got a standing ovation hours after getting off the plane from Europe last Friday and he watched LAFCs 32 victory over the archrival LA Galaxy from a suite before joining the onfield postgame celebrations with his new teammatesBale went through his first training session with LAFC on Monday morning While the club isnt projecting when he will suit up in their pursuit of the MLS title the goalscoring dynamo should be fresh He played in only five matches for Madrid last season while battling injuriesAfter winning five Champions League titles while spending eight of the past nine seasons in Madrid Bale explored playing options closer to home before choosing Los Angeles where he can be a midseason addition to a trophycontending team Southern Californias ideal weather also puts him in the perfect spot to ramp up physically for QatarIf LAFC makes it to the league title game the MLS Cup Final is scheduled for Nov 5 just 16 days before the start of the World Cup While bigger clubs undoubtedly will come calling afterward Bale insists he doesnt intend to leave after the MLS seasonAlso Read Womens Euro 2022 England score record shattering 8 goals against NorwayI havent come here for the short term Bale said I want to make my mark on this league and I think being here gives me the best possible chance to make it to the Euros and you never know maybe one more World Cup Thats my goalThe expiration of his massive contract finally ended the lovehate relationship between the superstar and the Madrid fans and media While Bale repeatedly showed off his biggame scoring ability he was criticized for everything from his frequent injury absences to his passion for golf amid suggestions he wasnt fully committed to Madrids successBale began his US tenure by repeatedly reaffirming his desire to play regularly even with the demanding travel schedule of the vast North American leagueBale is joining longtime Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini in making a midseason move to LAFC and general manager John Thorrington hailed their decisions as evidence LAFC has become a destination of choice for star playersBale said he spent a few weeks every summer in Los Angeles before the coronavirus pandemic and his family is already comfortable in the city where soccer greats from David Beckham and Robbie Keane to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Carlos Vela have embraced the combination of sporting challenge and good living in the second halves of their careersBut as those superstars did before him Bale rejects the concept of joining MLS and slowing down LAFC has been the leagues top team throughout its fifth season of existence and a motivated Bales addition to an already potent attack could be a nightmare for the competition between now and NovemberThe standard here is really increasing Bale saidI think its a lot better than people in Europe really thinkThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever