Gareth Bale: From Football Star to Club Investor

Gareth Bale faced questions as soon as he left the pitch at the last World Cup. Four years later, the Welsh legend has found the answer to "what happens next?" The tournament in Qatar was Bale's last moment as a player after he achieved almost everything he wanted to achieve. Although a group stage exit in the Middle East was not part of the plan, being an integral part of his country's first World Cup appearance in 64 years felt like the ultimate ambition fulfilled.

Bale, who has never really liked being in the spotlight or facing the media, may prefer to remain behind the scenes and enjoy the fruits of a club career that saw him reach the Champions League five times in nine years at Real Madrid. However, it seems that ambition is still burning. Bale is now part of a US-based investment vehicle that could see him join the growing list of former players taking ownership of the club.

Previously, he was linked with hometown club Cardiff City – as well as Plymouth Argyle in League One. The sports fund he is part of has contacted a number of clubs as they consider their next steps. Bale's new goals may take time, but they should be taken seriously. "I've always been a person who tries a lot of different things," said Bale. "I don't know, ultimately, what I want to do after football. Everyone jokes that I'll just play golf – which of course I will – but I've tried punditry, doing commercial things and so on. I enjoy it, but this really excites me and first really piqued my interest about what could happen in the future."

A future that, he says, has always interested him – perhaps not so different from that of David Beckham. Like Bale, the British icon was a figure in his country's football and could take his pick of jobs post-career, before eventually becoming co-owner of MLS franchise Inter Miami as part of various business interests.

Was that route an influence? “I think so, a lot of American athletes do that kind of thing and I read about it and listen to interviews about what they do,” said Bale, whose former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric has become a minority investor in Swansea City. "A lot of players still choose the path of coaching, management or even with young players in academies. But you see more players starting to think more business-like. Maybe because we've done so much on one side, this side becomes a new chapter, a new world. It's always been interesting for me, but I didn't really have the opportunity before until being introduced to John."

The John who can help Bale build like Beckham is experienced US investor John Shulman, founder of private equity firm Juggernaut Capital. The company is said to have capital commitments of $1 billion and is already investing in a range of sports businesses – from golf courses and volleyball to "thrill" sports – but senses opportunity, especially when it comes to Europe and the UK. Shulman said he wanted to bring in “elite, iconic athletes” to help launch a sports-specific investment platform – Juggernaut Diversified Sports – which is set to invest more than £500m.

After introductions – and, of course, a round of golf – they found one. "There are very few humans on the planet who have done what Gareth has done," Shulman said. "We're good investors, but what we lack is the mindset, the experience, the drive and the unique position that Gareth has. I mean, this guy has everything. What he can do on the pitch, I've seen him do in the boardroom metaphorically. So I have nothing but excitement about our plans, doing it at the right time and in the right place and in the right way."

These plans are not limited to football, or just the men's game. In fact, the first investment will reportedly be in women's professional sports in the US. Shulman spoke of a “golden age of investment” in that arena given the growing TV and live audiences. Getting involved in “emerging leagues” was also mentioned. "Of course, logic would suggest that we should look at some football clubs because of Gareth - and we will," added Shulman, saying that any deal would involve a large enough stake to be able to influence growth. "And because of Gareth, we've contacted a few clubs. But we'll take our time because the street is full of people trying to buy clubs, who think that with a snap of the finger or even having someone who has played, you can magically turn it into something unique."

Bale agreed, admitting he wouldn't suddenly switch from centre-forward to CEO and try to run the club as he sees fit, but hoped his experience and perspective could be an interesting asset to the business plan. "Obviously it won't be like Tottenham, or Chelsea, or Man Utd or whoever," said Bale. "But we wanted something that could grow."

Is it Cardiff? Or perhaps Newport County, a nearby League Two club openly seeking investment? “We do our research and try to find the right team, and see where that takes us,” said Bale, keen to avoid headlines just about buying Cardiff, even though that might mean a lot to him. "I'd certainly like to be involved in something in Wales, but if it doesn't make sense, of course I can't. The heart isn't always right, so sometimes you have to listen to the head and do what's right when it comes to business."

Bale said patience would be required to find the right fit, but there was clearly genuine excitement about what was to come. Considering how he fulfills his ambitions on the field, this could be interesting to watch.