Gareth Bale: Captain ignores question on Wales future after Euro 2020 exit
- Published
Analysis: Has Bale played his last game for Wales?
Captain Gareth Bale walked away when asked about his Wales future following the Euro 2020 round of 16 defeat to Denmark.
Wales' campaign came to a sorry end as they were beaten 4-0 in Amsterdam.
There was speculation before Euro 2020 that Real Madrid forward Bale, 31, may retire after the tournament.
When asked whether the Denmark loss could be his last game for Wales, Bale brought an immediate halt to the post-match interview.
However, in a subsequent interview with Welsh language broadcaster S4C, Bale did give a response when asked whether he would continue to be part of Wales' bid to reach the 2022 World Cup.
"I want to continue to play," Wales' all-time leading goalscorer said.
"People ask stupid questions all the time. I love playing for Wales. I will play for Wales until the day I stop playing football."
The Cardiff-born forward, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham, also struck a note of optimism in the interview.
"We've just started the World Cup campaign. We were just saying in there now, we need to take this experience into the World Cup campaign," he said.
"I feel like we have a very good way of playing when we play well.
"We just need to keep that confidence high, keep playing football and I think we can qualify for the next World Cup."
Earlier, Bale had said Wales' players were "frustrated and angry" over the manner of the Denmark defeat.
"It's disappointing, that's all I can say," Bale said.
"We've missed an opportunity but I can't fault the effort and that's the minimum requirement, I'm proud of them still."
When asked about Bale's reaction to the initial question on his future, Wales interim manager Robert Page said "emotions are raw" in the immediate aftermath of a loss.
"He is feeling like any other player in the changing room - disappointed," Page said.
"Why would he want to answer a question about his future? For me it's an insensitive question. He's just come off the pitch after a defeat. It's about the group and how we bounce back from it."
Speaking on BBC Sport's coverage of the Denmark game, former Wales manager Mark Hughes said it was too soon for Bale to consider ending his playing career.
"I would be really disappointed if he did feel that he had given enough," Hughes said.
"Obviously he has been a huge player for Wales and the teams he's played for, he's had massive success.
"Has he got anything to prove? Absolutely not, so you could see why maybe he's thinking in those terms.
"But what is he, 31, 32? No age - 31, 32 is the new 25 in my view. I was thinking maybe in terms of finishing around that age and I ended up playing until I was nearly 38.
"I think if you have still got that enthusiasm, you have still got that desire to play, you have to carry on."
Denmark put four past Wales to reach quarter-finals
Bale has been a key factor in Wales qualifying for the last two European Championships and has enjoyed a sparkling club career which has included four Champions League triumphs with Real.
But ex-Wales captain Ashley Williams, who retired in January at the age of 36, believes the chance to play at a World Cup may drive Bale on.
"Gaz Bale has been one of the best players of recent times in football across the world," Williams said. "His legacy is what it is - he will decide to do whatever it is he wants to do.
"He might want that World Cup. He has done a lot in his career, but he hasn't played at a World Cup.
"From a Wales perspective, we'd love to see him stick around and get us to the World Cup."
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