(Football news) After 6 months of very little game time at Real Madrid, Gareth Bale turned up for Wales' World Cup qualifier play off against Austria. The winger scored twice to ensure that Wales made it to the final playoff where they will be one step away from making it to the World Cup for only the 2nd time ever. Their final game will be later this year against the winner of Ukraine and Scotland.

Bale's Real Madrid contract runs out at the end of the season and it is more clear than ever that Los Blancos are not going to renew his deal. His agent has come out and said that the player hasn't decided about his future yet. Reports suggest that Bale's future depends on Wales' World Cup qualification. The rumours are that Bale will retire from all forms of football if Wales don't qualify for the World Cup and if they do, he will sign a short term contract with another club. The clubs the Welshman is being linked to are Newcastle United and Cardiff City. 

It will be a sad day if Bale has to retire at the age of just 32. He has certainly been the best Welsh player of all time and probably the best British player in terms of collective accomplishments. He has been a legend at Real Madrid who has always delivered in big matches and played a major role in their success. He has also been a game changer for Wales starring in two Euro campaigns and is also one step away from taking them to the World Cup. Bale has done all this and more despite being troubled with injuries. 

Carlo Ancelotti may look at Bale's performance against Austria and give him a chance to replicate that with Real Madrid. If a player like Bale's calibre is available for selection then Ancelotti might as well use him. Los Blancos have a cramped up schedule coming as they are fighting for the La Liga and the UCL title. It will be an abrupt and strange end to a magnificent career if Bale does decide to hang up his boots after the end of the season.

Also read: Real Madrid close in on Shakhtar Donetsk right-back Vinicius Tobias