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Solo runs, volleys and a bike: The best goals scored by Gareth Bale

Anthony Paphitis
Gareth Bale will be remembered as one of Britain's greatest-ever footballing exports
Gareth Bale will be remembered as one of Britain's greatest-ever footballing exportsProfimedia
Gareth Bale (33) announced his retirement from club and international football on Monday, bringing an end to a glittering playing career.

A five-time Champions League winner and victor of La Liga on three occasions with Real Madrid, the Welshman is considered to be one of Britain’s greatest-ever football exports.

Bale developed a knack for delivering on the big stage, which meant he was the scorer of plenty of iconic goals.

With that said, Flashscore takes a look at some of the best goals he scored throughout his stellar career.

Stunning volley at Stoke

We go all the way back to 2010 with Bale’s Tottenham involved in a Premier League encounter with Stoke.

He had already scored once at the Britannia Stadium but his second - and ultimate game-winner - would send a message.

Aaron Lennon’s clipped cross found Bale at the far post, where met it perfectly to volley right into the top corner.

That San Siro hat-trick

It was the match that put Bale front and centre on the world stage. 

Spurs were a man down against Inter Milan in the Champions League and found themselves in a 3-0 hole within 15 minutes and 4-0 down at the break.

But that didn’t stop Bale from taking matters into his own hands.

Grabbing a goal back for the visitors early in the second half, he completed his remarkable treble in stoppage time, showing the world exactly what he was about.

Screamer against Scotland

Bale's quality wasn't limited to just club football, though, with his heroics often on display as the talisman for Wales.

He had a number of top strikes for the Dragons, but his drilled effort from the corner of the box during a World Cup qualifier against Scotland in 2012 is one of the best of the bunch.

Late heroics at West Ham

Bale’s long-range strike in the dying embers of Tottenham’s encounter with West Ham in 2013 will always live long in the memory.

With the scoreline tied at 2-2, Bale picked the ball up from midfield and arrowed a dipping effort into the far corner past a helpless Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Parting gift against Sunderland

Bale scoring became inevitable in his final season at Spurs and that was no different on the final day of the 2013/14 campaign against Sunderland.

Spurs were level with the Black Cats until the 89th minute until Bale cut in from the right wing and fired in a trademark drive, which would serve as a parting gift before his move to Real Madrid later that summer.

Long-ranger against Elche

In his new surroundings in Madrid, it was vintage Bale in the 2013/14 season when Real played host to Elche at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Bale had been having a quiet game and had been on the receiving end of a few jeers from the Los Blancos faithful, but all changed in the 72nd minute when he tallied a stunner.

Receiving the ball from Xabi Alonso around 30 yards from goal, he rifled a ferocious effort in off the underside of the crossbar.

Sublime solo run in Copa del Rey final

Bale would fully endear himself to the Real fans at the end of his first season with one of the most iconic goals in his career in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.

Engaged in an 85th-minute footrace with Marc Bartra, Bale scooted off the pitch around the Barca defender and darted into the box before slotting his effort under goalkeeper Jose Pinto.

The incredible solo run would net him his first major trophy in Real Madrid colours.

Incredible finish against Legia Warsaw

It was yet another Bale goal out of nothing and this time it came during Real Madrid's Champions League campaign in 2016/17.

Away to Poland's Legia Warsaw, a bouncing ball found Bale just outside the penalty area, which he struck first time without hesitation.

Beautiful side-footed volley at Dortmund

The volleys in the Champions League didn't stop there for Bale, with this strike at Borussia Dortmund a season later somewhat going under the radar.

Bale nonchalantly arrowed a shot using the instep of his foot right into the far corner - making it look almost too easy.

One iconic bicycle kick

It is by far and away the most iconic goal from Bale's stunning career.

Coming off the bench in the 2018 Champions League final in Kyiv, no one could have anticipated the sheer brilliance he would be about to pull off.

With Real Madrid level at 1-1 against Liverpool, the game was flipped totally on its head by Bale, who managed to convert a simply brilliant bicycle kick from near the edge of the box.

Bale met a cross from Marcelo with perfection, with the acrobatic effort giving goalkeeper Loris Karius zero chance.