Gareth Bale set for soccer return to face legendary Liverpool manager

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Gareth Bale is set to dust off his boots and return to the pitch for a charity match next weekend, marking his first appearance since retiring in 2023.

The Welsh legend, who made his feelings clear on Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid earlier this summer, hung up his boots in January 2023, shortly after leading his nation to its first World Cup in 64 years.

Now at 36, Bale is lacing up his boots once more for a star-studded match in South Korea later this month.

The former Tottenham and Real Madrid ace will be playing for FC Spear against Shield United at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on September 13.

FC Spear boasts an impressive attacking line-up, with Bale sharing the pitch with soccer greats such as Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, and Kaka.

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Shield United, as the name suggests, features a squad of iconic defenders including Alessandro Nesta, Carles Puyol, Nemanja Vidic, and Rio Ferdinand.

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will be at the helm of FC Spear, while Rafa Benitez, the legendary Liverpool manager, takes charge of Shield United.

Shield United emerged victorious in last year's match with a 4-1 win, so FC Spear will be seeking redemption in the rematch.

Since hanging up his boots, Bale has been heading a consortium aiming to purchase Cardiff City, and he's also joined TNT Sports as a pundit for this season, taking over from former Manchester United defender Ferdinand.

"After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football," said Bale upon his retirement two-and-a-half years ago.

"I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love."

Bale famously won the Champions League five times during his spell with Real Madrid.

He added: "It (soccer) 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."

FC Spear's full squad: Arsene Wenger (coach), Bum Young Lee, Gianluigi Buffon, Ja Cheol Koo, Ki Hyon Seol, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Clarence Seedorf, Eden Hazard, Franck Ribery, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Ji Sung Park, Didier Drogba

Shield United full squad: Rafa Benitez (coach), Young Kwang Kim, Iker Casillas, Alessandro Nesta, Michael Carrick, Marchisio, Gilberto Silva, Joo Ho Park, Sol Campbell, Claude Makelele, Ashley Cole, Maicon, John Arne Riise, Nemanja Vidic, Carles Puyol, Young Pyo Lee, Rio Ferdinand