Wales's greatest footballer — four Champions Leagues with Real Madrid and the overhead kick heard around the world.
His overhead kick in the 2018 Champions League Final against Liverpool — struck from a standing position in mid-air and placed beyond a helpless Loris Karius — is the greatest goal ever scored in a European final, and Gareth Bale scored it as a substitute. Southampton developed him before Tottenham signed him in 2007. His Spurs years transformed him from full-back to the Premier League's most explosive attacking threat — culminating in winning consecutive PFA Players' Player of the Year awards in 2011 and 2013. Real Madrid paid £85 million — then the world record — in 2013. His nine Madrid seasons produced four Champions Leagues. His overhead kick in the 2018 Champions League Final against Liverpool — a goal immediately placed among the greatest ever scored — came from a substitute appearance and won the match 3-1. He scored 106 goals for Madrid. He became one of Welsh football's most significant figures — his investment in Welsh football infrastructure and his performances in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup — Wales's first in 64 years — elevated him to national icon status. He famously raised a flag reading Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order during a World Cup qualifying celebration — a summary of his Real Madrid relationship in one image.
Scoring in two Champions League finals and bicycle kick goal vs Liverpool
How They Played
Explosive pace, powerful left foot, long-range shooting, set-piece specialist
Lasting Impact
Greatest Welsh player of all time who elevated Wales to major tournaments
Career Honours
- Champions League 4x (2014,2016,2018,2022)
- La Liga 2x
- Premier League (2013)
- World Cup qualifying hero (Wales 2022)
- Champions League 2014
- Champions League 2016
- Champions League 2017
- Champions League 2018
- La Liga 2017
- La Liga 2020
- La Liga 2022
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | 2006–2007 | — | 40 | 5 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2007–2013 | — | 146 | 42 |
| Real Madrid | 2013–2022 | £85m | 176 | 81 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2020–2021 | loan | 20 | 11 |
| Los Angeles FC | 2022–2023 | — | 12 | 2 |
 Wales | — | — | 111 | 41 |