After a week of exchanges on social media with Wrexham AFC owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Gareth Bale has finally put the rumours of a return to football to bed.

Bale, a five-time Champions League winner, announced his retirement at the age of 33 in January after leading Wales to their first World Cup finals appearance since 1958.

But after he posted a congratulatory video to Wrexham following the club's National League title and promotion back to the English Football League, McElhenney and Reynolds went to work trying to convince Bale to come and play for Wrexham next season. 

McElhenney started by saying he could convince Bale over a round of golf, to which the former footballer, turned golfer responded "depends what course" hinting at St Andrew's in Scotland. 

Reynolds weighed in on Wednesday, tweeting: “I will shave a professional-grade golf course into Rob’s back if you’ll give Wrexham a season.”

The Deadpool star even went as far as posting a photo of Bale in a Wrexham shirt, commenting: "What if..."

Will Gareth Bale be playing for Wrexham AFC next season?

One betting company - OLBG, had Bale at 3/1 odds of making a return to football next season with Wrexham. 

However, despite all the speculation this week Bale has put rumours to bed saying he won't be playing for Wrexham next season. 

The Mirror reported that Bale, at the Sports Industry awards in London, when asked whether he will come out of retirement to play for Wrexham replied: "No, I don’t think so."

Wrexham AFC play their final game in the National League tomorrow (Saturday, April 29) before promotion to the English Football League next season. 

They will face Torquay United away. 

The North Wales club has already secured the National League title and automatic promotion, following their 3-1 win over Boreham Wood on Saturday.