That's all from us here on this live page, but there is plenty more to get your teeth into on the BBC Sport website.
It is just breaking that France and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has called time on his international career. That story will be up soon.
Also read the full story on Gareth Bale's retirement via the link below, as well as some developing transfer stories in the Premier League.
And don't forget the final tie of the FA Cup third round as Arsenal and Oxford United battle it out for the chance to visit Manchester City in the next round.
Tweet #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
Timmy: That goal against Barcelona. I would never forget how he ran past Batra to win the Copa Del Rey for Madrid. And to think he has 5 Champions League medals to his name. Says a lot about the man, Gareth Bale.
SMS Message: So many brilliant goals for club and country but favourite Bale moment has to be the winner against Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium in Euro 2016 qualifiers… the start of an amazing time for all Welsh football fans! from Harriet, Bridgend
So many brilliant goals for club and country but favourite Bale moment has to be the winner against Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium in Euro 2016 qualifiers… the start of an amazing time for all Welsh football fans!
Video content
Video caption: Watch again as now-retired Gareth Bale became Wales men's all-time top scorer at the China Cup in 2018Watch again as now-retired Gareth Bale became Wales men's all-time top scorer at the China Cup in 2018
Thanks for that memory Roger, Gareth Bale's last club goal was certainly a memorable one - a last-minute equaliser in extra time before Los Angeles FC beat Philadelphia Union on penalties to win the MLS Cup.
Tweet #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
Roger: Being a long-time Los Angeles area resident (from Notting Hill) my memory of Bale scoring the game-tying header with no time left in the MLS championship, will stick. Down to 10 men, the ability and desire to get on the end of that cross says everything about him.
Post update
The whys and wherefores can wait for another day, though.
In the last 40 minutes of this live page, before tonight's FA Cup action takes centre stage, let's just concentrate on what we do know - Gareth Bale was one hell of a football player.
Something changed
Another key question is why now?
At the end of a disappointing World Cup for Wales, though still a historic one, Gareth Bale told BBC Sport that he intended to carry on playing.
In the words of Jarvis Cocker, something changed.
Here we are 41 days later and Gareth Bale has announced his retirement.
Wales squad will be 'devastated' by Bale loss
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Former Wales
international Joe Ledley says the current squad will feel “devastated” following
Gareth Bale’s retirement.
Ledley, 35,
won 77 Wales caps and starred for Wales alongside Bale at
Euro 2016.
He says Bale
enjoyed every moment whenever the Wales squad came together.
“He loved
it. He loved the banter, meeting up, the training,” Ledley told BBC Radio Wales.
“He is going
to miss that - he will miss meeting up with Wales. It’s a unique bond we all
had.
“The boys in
the team now are going to be devastated by the news – [particularly] when they
meet up next time and he’s not there.
“But these
things happen in football. [To retire] at the age of 33, I think everyone still
thinks it’s young but it’s just the right time for him and his family.”
Former
Cardiff, Celtic and Crystal Palace midfielder Ledley says there is no debate over
Bale’s place in the list of Wales’ finest footballers.
“He is the
best Welsh player of all time,” he added.
“To see him
day-to-day in training and perform at the highest level, he was just an
absolute athlete on and off the pitch.
“He has always
looked after himself, always eaten right, and was so determined to drive his
nation on to the next level.
“Not just
that, he is an amazing human being, really down to earth considering what he
has achieved in the game.
“I am
obviously devastated to see him retire but I think over the last six to eight
months, it’s sort of been on the cards. I think a lot of people expected after
Madrid but he managed to get Wales to a World Cup.”
Post update
While we are enjoying reminiscing about Gareth Bale's glorious career, there is also a debate bubbling under about what the future holds for Wales without him in it...
Hot topic
BBC Radio 5 Live
Let's face it, everyone loves a good GOAT debate but the reality is, the outcome will change like the wind.
What we do know is Gareth Bale was an exceptional footballer who will leave a lasting legacy in the game.
As you might imagine, his retirement will be one of the topics up for discussion in the Monday Night Club on BBC Radio 5 Live from 7pm.
The full details and link to the show are below...
Bale getting the love, but Charles got the vote...
Many here are lauding Gareth Bale as the greatest British player of all time. Worth noting that in a BBC poll in November, 22 another Wales legend, John Charles was voted Wales' greatest ever player with Ian Rush third. Just saying...
Tweet #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
Anon: You have done more for Welsh football and Wales as a whole than any other person in our lifetime. PS: If you ever fancy a game of golf in Llangollen (on us) ask for Bryn and Huw.
Make sure you leave your name on any texts or message folks. I can't be sure, but there is a good chance the message above is either from Bryn or Huw.
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
- Bale retires from football, aged 33
- Chelsea close to signing Felix
- Arsenal in Mudryk talks
- FA Cup live: Oxford United v Arsenal - radio & text
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport View more on twitterView more on twitter 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Video caption: Watch again as now-retired Gareth Bale became Wales men's all-time top scorer at the China Cup in 2018Watch again as now-retired Gareth Bale became Wales men's all-time top scorer at the China Cup in 2018 View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter Video caption: Bale retires - watch his best PL momentsBale retires - watch his best PL moments View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images 
View more on twitterView more on twitter 
Getty Images & BBCCopyright: Getty Images & BBC View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter
Latest PostDiolch Gareth, hwyl fawr!
That's all from us here on this live page, but there is plenty more to get your teeth into on the BBC Sport website.
It is just breaking that France and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has called time on his international career. That story will be up soon.
Also read the full story on Gareth Bale's retirement via the link below, as well as some developing transfer stories in the Premier League.
And don't forget the final tie of the FA Cup third round as Arsenal and Oxford United battle it out for the chance to visit Manchester City in the next round.
A fitting farewell
A classy footballer, a proud captain, a fitting farewell.
Here is how Gareth Bale announced his retirement from football:
Saint, Galactico, Welsh hero - The evolution of Wales' captain
BBC Sport Wales' Dafydd Pritchard examines the key stages of the Wales captain Gareth Bale's evolution during his stellar career.
Read more: Saint, Galactico, Welsh hero - The evolution of Gareth Bale
Get Involved
Tweet #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
Timmy: That goal against Barcelona. I would never forget how he ran past Batra to win the Copa Del Rey for Madrid. And to think he has 5 Champions League medals to his name. Says a lot about the man, Gareth Bale.
Video content
'Thank you for everything'
'Your runs were a joy to assist'
Premier talent
Let's go back in time to those heady days at Spurs, when Gareth Bale emerged as a real talent.
Remember these belters from his Premier League pomp?
Video content
'All the best'
Real Madrid also had some kind words to say about Gareth Bale, referring to him as a "club legend".
But, in club terms, it will surely be at Spurs where he will be most fondly remembered.
'Enjoy the next chapter'
Gareth Bale certainly made an impact, albeit brief, on the good folk at Los Angeles FC...
Bale's last-ever club goal
Thanks for that memory Roger, Gareth Bale's last club goal was certainly a memorable one - a last-minute equaliser in extra time before Los Angeles FC beat Philadelphia Union on penalties to win the MLS Cup.
You can read about how that dramatic match unfolded here.
Get Involved
Tweet #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
Roger: Being a long-time Los Angeles area resident (from Notting Hill) my memory of Bale scoring the game-tying header with no time left in the MLS championship, will stick. Down to 10 men, the ability and desire to get on the end of that cross says everything about him.
Post update
The whys and wherefores can wait for another day, though.
In the last 40 minutes of this live page, before tonight's FA Cup action takes centre stage, let's just concentrate on what we do know - Gareth Bale was one hell of a football player.
Something changed
Another key question is why now?
At the end of a disappointing World Cup for Wales, though still a historic one, Gareth Bale told BBC Sport that he intended to carry on playing.
In the words of Jarvis Cocker, something changed.
Here we are 41 days later and Gareth Bale has announced his retirement.
Wales squad will be 'devastated' by Bale loss
Former Wales international Joe Ledley says the current squad will feel “devastated” following Gareth Bale’s retirement.
Ledley, 35, won 77 Wales caps and starred for Wales alongside Bale at Euro 2016.
He says Bale enjoyed every moment whenever the Wales squad came together.
“He loved it. He loved the banter, meeting up, the training,” Ledley told BBC Radio Wales.
“He is going to miss that - he will miss meeting up with Wales. It’s a unique bond we all had.
“The boys in the team now are going to be devastated by the news – [particularly] when they meet up next time and he’s not there.
“But these things happen in football. [To retire] at the age of 33, I think everyone still thinks it’s young but it’s just the right time for him and his family.”
Former Cardiff, Celtic and Crystal Palace midfielder Ledley says there is no debate over Bale’s place in the list of Wales’ finest footballers.
“He is the best Welsh player of all time,” he added.
“To see him day-to-day in training and perform at the highest level, he was just an absolute athlete on and off the pitch.
“He has always looked after himself, always eaten right, and was so determined to drive his nation on to the next level.
“Not just that, he is an amazing human being, really down to earth considering what he has achieved in the game.
“I am obviously devastated to see him retire but I think over the last six to eight months, it’s sort of been on the cards. I think a lot of people expected after Madrid but he managed to get Wales to a World Cup.”
Post update
While we are enjoying reminiscing about Gareth Bale's glorious career, there is also a debate bubbling under about what the future holds for Wales without him in it...
Hot topic
BBC Radio 5 Live
Let's face it, everyone loves a good GOAT debate but the reality is, the outcome will change like the wind.
What we do know is Gareth Bale was an exceptional footballer who will leave a lasting legacy in the game.
As you might imagine, his retirement will be one of the topics up for discussion in the Monday Night Club on BBC Radio 5 Live from 7pm.
The full details and link to the show are below...
Bale getting the love, but Charles got the vote...
Many here are lauding Gareth Bale as the greatest British player of all time. Worth noting that in a BBC poll in November, 22 another Wales legend, John Charles was voted Wales' greatest ever player with Ian Rush third. Just saying...
'Greatest Welsh footballer'
Get Involved
Tweet #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)
Anon: You have done more for Welsh football and Wales as a whole than any other person in our lifetime. PS: If you ever fancy a game of golf in Llangollen (on us) ask for Bryn and Huw.
Make sure you leave your name on any texts or message folks. I can't be sure, but there is a good chance the message above is either from Bryn or Huw.
British GOAT?