Wales captain Gareth Bale says his jump to Major League Soccer gives him the best chance to play in the 2024 European Championship and maybe even the 2026 World Cup.

The long-time Real Madrid and Tottenham star winger was introduced on Monday after his first workout as a member of Los Angeles FC, where he is signed through 2023 but hoping for a much-longer stay.

“I have many years to come. I haven’t come here just to be here for six months, 12 months,” Bale said. “I’ve come here to try and be here as long as possible.”

Five-time Uefa Champions League winner Bale made it clear his MLS journey is not planned as a stopover on the way to retirement.

“I want to do as well as I can and I want to try and make my mark on this league, on this team,” Bale said. “I’m looking forward to the future. It’s not just a short thing.”

Bale, who turns 33 on Saturday, sees MLS as his best path to playing for Wales beyond this year’s Qatar World Cup, the nation’s first in 64 years.

His goal is playing in Euro 2024 and he has an eye on the 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States with Mexico and Canada.

“It also gives me the best opportunity to keep going into the next Euros, maybe further, so my plan is to really work hard,” Bale said. “We’ve got a great plan going forward to get me up to speed and hopefully last as long as possible.”