FOOTBALL icon Ian Rush has paid tribute to fellow Wales legend Gareth Bale following his retirement from the game this week.

Bale announced that he was to retire from club and international duty as of Monday, January 9.

His club career saw him play for Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Los Angeles FC.

During a 17-year career, the 33-year-old won the La Liga title three times and the UEFA Champions League five times.

He will also go down in history as one of, if not THE, greatest Wales player of all time.

Bale helped the national team qualify for EURO 2016 and 2020 and its first World Cup since 1958 when he captained the side at World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

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He is also Wales' record goalscorer (41 goals) having taken over that mantle from Flintshire's own Ian Rush (who had 28 goals) in March 2018.

And the former Liverpool forward was one of those who took to Twitter to congratulate Bale on a successful career.

Replying to Bale's retirement announcement, Rush said: "Congratulations on a fantastic career with some incredible moments for club and country. Diolch @GarethBale11 for everything you have given to Welsh football."

As well as being Wales' top goalscorer ever, Bale also holds the record for the most caps earned by a Wales player - with 111 of those to his name at the time of his retirement.

He also won countless individual awards during his career - including Premier League Player of the Season in 2012/13 and Welsh Football of the Year on six occasions.

Bale was also appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to association football and charity.