Gareth Bale's fitness update is great news for Wales ahead of the World Cup
- Planet Sport writer
- 15 November 2022
Gareth Bale has declared himself 100 per cent fit for Wales ahead of the start of the World Cup in Qatar.
Skipper Bale's fitness has been a source of major concern ahead of Wales' first appearance at the finals for 64 years.
The 33-year-old has played just half an hour of football since completing his first 90 minutes for over a year in Wales' Nations League defeat to Poland in September.
Bale revealed he had been troubled by a "slight issue" and "was not 100 per cent" after coming off the bench to score a crucial late goal in Los Angeles FC's MLS Cup final triumph over Philadelphia Union on November 5.
But he said ahead of Wales' departure to Qatar on Tuesday: "I'm 100 per cent fit and ready to go."
Asked if he could play three 90-minute games against the United States, Iran and England in the space of nine days, Bale replied: "Yeah, no problem.
"I'm fully fit and ready to go. If I need to play three 90s, I'll play three 90s.
"It's been difficult, mentally more than anything. I guess for everybody, the last three or four weeks, it's been difficult, even hearing stories of players going down and knowing they're going to miss the World Cup.
"Speaking to a few of the boys, even for them having to play this weekend was tough mentally, and we're just praying not to have an injury at all because it's such a big occasion."
Bale echoed the Football Association of Wales' determination to speak out on human rights and LGBT issues surrounding the World Cup.
Qatar has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships - homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state - human rights record and treatment of migrant workers.
Bale, who will join other captains of European nations by wearing a 'OneLove' armband during the tournament as a message against discrimination, said: "Of course, for us as footballers, it's been a difficult subject to talk about.
"But we can shed a light on the problems there are going on.
"We've spoken to the FAW and they've been speaking to Welsh government, who've been speaking to Qatar and FIFA, working on these issues.
"For us as players, we're fully behind and support everything we can do.
"As footballers, the most we can do is raise awareness and it's for people higher up to make those decisions, and hopefully make change for the better."
The 33-year-old has played just half an hour of football since completing his first 90 minutes for over a year in Wales' Nations League defeat to Poland in September.
Bale revealed he had been troubled by a "slight issue" and "was not 100 per cent" after coming off the bench to score a crucial late goal in Los Angeles FC's MLS Cup final triumph over Philadelphia Union on November 5.
But he said ahead of Wales' departure to Qatar on Tuesday: "I'm 100 per cent fit and ready to go."
Asked if he could play three 90-minute games against the United States, Iran and England in the space of nine days, Bale replied: "Yeah, no problem.
"I'm fully fit and ready to go. If I need to play three 90s, I'll play three 90s.
"It's been difficult, mentally more than anything. I guess for everybody, the last three or four weeks, it's been difficult, even hearing stories of players going down and knowing they're going to miss the World Cup.
"Speaking to a few of the boys, even for them having to play this weekend was tough mentally, and we're just praying not to have an injury at all because it's such a big occasion."
Bale echoed the Football Association of Wales' determination to speak out on human rights and LGBT issues surrounding the World Cup.
Qatar has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships - homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state - human rights record and treatment of migrant workers.
Bale, who will join other captains of European nations by wearing a 'OneLove' armband during the tournament as a message against discrimination, said: "Of course, for us as footballers, it's been a difficult subject to talk about.
"But we can shed a light on the problems there are going on.
"We've spoken to the FAW and they've been speaking to Welsh government, who've been speaking to Qatar and FIFA, working on these issues.
"For us as players, we're fully behind and support everything we can do.
"As footballers, the most we can do is raise awareness and it's for people higher up to make those decisions, and hopefully make change for the better."
