Gareth Bale has spoken out about his concerns over potential bankruptcy, a fear that influenced his financial decisions throughout his career.
The former Real Madrid and Tottenham star, 36, retired from professional football following the 2022 World Cup.
Despite once being the world's highest-paid player after signing a £150million contract with Real Madrid in 2016, and having a reported net worth of £120m, Bale remained cautious with his money.
Speaking to Front Office Sports, the Welshman revealed his motivation, stating: “There was one thing that always scared me inside. You read articles about when people finish professional sports, they go bankrupt.
Gareth Bale has revealed he has been doing all he an to avoid going bankrupt
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“A lot of, I imagine, athletes live a big lavish lifestyle. I try not to do that. I always had one eye on what life would be like after football.
“They don’t know how to manage their money, they don’t know how to do all these things."
Bale noted he was always considering life after football and the financial adjustments required once his salary stopped.
“So I was always trying to diversify from quite early on, always had this pillar idea where I would try and invest my money in different things.
“If one pillar got chopped down and didn’t work, the whole building is not going to fall down.”
The 111-cap Wales international has already established several businesses in the Welsh capital, including Elevens Bar and a mini-golf themed bar named Par 59.
The Cardiff-born icon also addressed speculation linking him with a purchase of his local football club.
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Gareth Bale signed an eye watering £150million contract with Real Madrid in 2016
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He confirmed his interest in acquiring the Bluebirds, "I suggested about my home team.
“It’s one that’s been on the decline for a few years now and has such massive potential, being a one-city club.
“We are looking forward to the response, we would love to get ownership of it and take the club back to where we think it belongs.”
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Since retiring from football, Bale has also engaged in occasional punditry for TNT Sports, which included work on last year’s Europa League final.
Beyond his business and media commitments, the Welsh legend remains an avid golfer, playing whenever his schedule permits.
He frequently participates in pro-am tournaments, with his most recent appearance being at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last month.
Garteh Bale has become an avid golfer since his retirement from football
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At the event, he was part of a celebrity line-up that featured other sports stars such as Andy Murray, Ben Stokes and Lando Norris.
Bale is considered a highly skilled golfer and held the second-lowest handicap among all amateurs competing in the Wentworth field.