Gareth Bale led tributes to Sam Warburton after the former Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby captain announced his retirement on Wednesday.
Bale went to the same school as Warburton, and the pair played on the same football team at Cardiff’s Whitechurch High School.
While Bale would go on to win Champions Leagues at Real Madrid, Warburton became the youngest Lions captain in history and only the second man to lead the team on two tours.
Warburton would also captain Wales a record 49 times but was forced to retire at the age of just 29 due to injury.
“Congratulations on an incredible career, mate,” Bale, also 29, wrote on Twitter, “good luck for everything in the future.”
Congratulations on an incredible career mate. Good luck for everything in the future @samwarburton_ #welshlegend pic.twitter.com/QZknUjV28m
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) July 18, 2018
Elsewhere in the rugby world, tributes to Warburton were posted from Bryan Habana, David Pocock, Brian O’Driscoll and Eddie Jones.
“Much respect for an incredible career,” said South African winger Habana. “It was no doubt an incredibly difficult decision given your resilience, determination and fighting spirit.”
Australian flanker Pocock said Warburton was a “great player that will be missed”, while former Ireland captain O’Driscoll, who retired in 2014, said “simply well done, a proper hard competitor. Packed a lot in for 29!”
Sad to hear about @samwarburton_ retiring from rugby due to injury. A great player that will be missed. All the best to you and your family for the next chapter!
— David Pocock (@pocockdavid) July 18, 2018
Simply well done @samwarburton_ . Proper hard competitor. Packed a lot in for 29! 👏
— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 18, 2018
“I have the highest admiration for Sam,” England head coach Jones said. “He’s been a real inspiration for Wales and an inspiration for young players around the world.”
Eddie Jones pays tribute to former @WelshRugbyUnion and @lionsofficial captain @samwarburton_ who yesterday announced his retirement from rugby. pic.twitter.com/RohTYWOBjO
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 19, 2018
Warburton’s retirement came on the same day as Geraint Thomas, another Whitechurch High School alumni, won the yellow jersey to take the lead in the Tour de France.
Speaking to the BBC following his stage win in La Rosière, Thomas laughed when it was suggested he had stolen Warburton’s thunder.
“I did hear that [announcement] this morning,” Thomas said. “I was quite surprised but he’s had a fantastic career and good luck to whatever he does next.”
Massive thanks to @GeraintThomas86 for the jersey swap. Looking forward to seeing you back on the bike soon 👍🚴🏼 pic.twitter.com/CY6mlVRroE
— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) August 19, 2017
Some other tributes from the world of rugby
Sad day hearing my brother hanging the boots up. A true professional and leader. Proud to have played with you and honoured to call you my captain. I still got your back brother 👊🏼 @samwarbs pic.twitter.com/PgAqPWKW1i
— George North (@George_North) July 18, 2018
One of the modern greats of rugby. But more importantly a genuine great man. One of Wales greatest Ambassadors on and off the field. Best wishes for the future. Pob lwc @samwarburton_ @WelshRugbyUnion https://t.co/ylfqps747d
— Nigel Owens MBE (@Nigelrefowens) July 18, 2018
What a fantastic career 👏🏼 @samwarburton_ It was a pleasure to play against you #welshlegend 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 pic.twitter.com/8L99RSEJk6
— sergio parisse (@sergioparisse) July 18, 2018
@samwarburton_ congratulations on a great career. Good luck for the future. Great player, nice guy fantastic ambassador for Wales and the game of rugby.
— Jonathan Davies OBE (@JiffyRugby) July 18, 2018
Somehow I sense that Sam Warburton remains a little underrated as a pure flanker. I was lucky enough to play against him, and the bloke was an ox. Freakishly strong. Legend.
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) July 18, 2018
And finally, from the man himself…
I never in a million years expected this much support. I cannot put into words how much it means to me. Reading all the lovely messages has been genuinely overwhelming. It’s been an emotional 24hrs, but confirms that the rugby family we are in is amazing 😊 pic.twitter.com/W54X0XFYuv
— Sam Warburton (@samwarburton_) July 19, 2018