Former Real Madrid and Tottenham star Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33, a shocking statement reads on his social media page on Monday.

The surprise announcement draws unprecedented curtain on a glittering career that saw Bale shine for Southampton where it all started, Tottenham over two spells, Real Madrid where he won four champions league trophies and LAFC in the MLS.

"After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football," Bale wrote on Instagram.

"I feel incredibly fortunate to have realized my dream of playing the sport I love. It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life. The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me."

In the same vein, France’s world cup winning captain Hugo Lloris has called it quit with the national team and will now focus on his Tottenham career after a staggering 145 appearances that stands as a record for Le Bleus.

The Tottenham shot stopper’s last engagement with the national team came at the 2022 World Cup finals against Argentina where he finished second best but his highlight would remain captaining the team to the world title in Russia in 2018.

"Hugo is still at his best and I have, we have, to respect his decision even if he still had his place in our team as we saw at the World Cup," France coach Didier Deschamps said.

"It's a great servant of the France national team retiring and I want to praise his incredible international career. Beyond all the records he beat, beyond the essential role he had in all our success, he is a remarkable person on the human side.

"It was a joy and an honor to be his coach. I wish every manager to have a player like him in their squad. I wish all the happiness. A huge thank you Hugo for having represented your country so well."