Thierry Gale Explained

Thierry Gale
Birth Date:1 May 2002
Birth Place:Bridgetown, Barbados
Height:1.68 m
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Rapid Wien
Clubnumber:16
Youthclubs1:Pinehill St Leonard’s Boys School
Youthclubs2:Pro Shottas United
Youthyears3:2018–2020
Youthclubs3:Budapest Honvéd FC
Years1:2020–2022
Clubs1:Budapest Honvéd
Caps1:17
Goals1:1
Years2:2020–2022
Clubs2:Budapest Honvéd II
Caps2:24
Goals2:2
Years3:2022–2023
Clubs3:Dila Gori
Caps3:35
Goals3:12
Years4:2023–
Clubs4:Rapid Wien
Caps4:5
Goals4:1
Nationalyears1:2018–
Nationalteam1:Barbados
Nationalcaps1:13
Nationalgoals1:6
Club-Update:18 December 2023
Nationalteam-Update:16:13, 17 October 2023 (UTC)

Thierry Gale (born 1 May 2002) is a Barbadian footballer who plays as a forward for Austrian club Rapid Wien and the Barbados national team.

Early career

Gale played football at St Leonard's Boys School in the Barbados Secondary Schools Football League (BSSFL). He led them to a national title in 2014 at the under-14 level.[1] In 2016, he led the under-16 squad to a double (League and Knockout Cup).[2] He finished as the league's top scorer.

He repeated the feat in 2017, scoring three goals (including the game-winner in the final) in the U-16 Knockout Cup,[3] [4] and leading the league with nine goals. That same year, he scored a brace on the final matchday of the U19 League to secure the league title.[5] Two weeks later, he helped St Leonard's secure the double by scoring once in the U19 Knockout Cup final.[6] For his performances, he was named BSSFL Player of the Week.[7]

At the club level, Gale played with the prestigious school, Pro Shottas United. He was named their Player of the Year in 2014.[8] In 2017, he led the under-15 squad to a first-place finish at the Guardian Group Youth Football Competition, capturing MVP honors as well.[9]

Club career

In August 2018, Gale trialled with Hungarian club Budapest Honvéd, along with national team captain Rashad Jules.[10] In an interview with LoopTT, Jules called him "one of Barbados’ finest."[11] Gale officially signed with Budapest Honvéd in October and joined their youth team.[12]

In 2020 he signed his first professional contract, agreeing to a three-year deal with the 14-time champions.[13] Soon thereafter, he made his professional debut on 21 August, coming on for Barna Kesztyűs during a 3–1 league defeat to MTK.[14]

In July 2022 Gale moved to FC Dila Gori of Georgia’s Erovnuli Liga.[15] On 29 August 2023, Gale signed for Austrian Bundesliga club Rapid Wien on a four-year contract.[16]

International career

Gale made his full debut for the senior national team in a 0–0 friendly draw against Bermuda on 25 March 2018, entering the match as a substitute for team captain Rashad Jules in the closing minutes. He was 15 years old.[17] [18] He scored his maiden international goal on 5 September 2019 against Saint Martin, a curving free-kick in front of his hometown crowd in Bridgetown to secure a 4–0 victory during the 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League C.[19]

Personal life

His father, Dwayne Gale, won two Barbados Premier League titles with Paradise FC, and one with Notre Dame, in the early 2000s. Playing as a forward, he earned two caps with the Barbados national team and enjoyed a stint with Galway in Ireland.[6] [20]

His favorite professional player is Cristiano Ronaldo.[7]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Budapest Honvéd II2020–21Nemzeti Bajnokság III110110
2021–22132132
Total242000000242
Budapest Honvéd2020–21Nemzeti Bajnokság I913200123
2021–22801090
Total171420000213
Dila Gori2022Erovnuli Liga1623220214
202319100042202512
Total35123262204616
Career total76157462209121

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Barbados201840
201921
202000
202110
202200
202365
Total136

Scores and results list Barbados' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gale goal.

List of international goals scored by Thierry Gale
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1 5 September 2019 Wildey Turf, Bridgetown, Barbados 4–0 4–0 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League C
2 26 March 2023 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda 1–1 2–1 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B
3 8 September 2023 Wildey Turf, Bridgetown, Barbados 2–1 2–3 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League B
4 11 September 2023 Estadio Nacional, Managua, Nicaragua 1–5 1–5
5 16 October 2023 Estadio Complejo Deportivo Moca 86, Moca, Dominican Republic 1–0 2–5 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League B
6 2–4

Notes and References

  1. News: It's St Leonard's again. Chad. Jordan. The Daily Nation. 26 June 2014. 2 September 2018.
  2. News: St. Leonard's Boys captures second BSSFL Title. Renaldo. Gilkes. Barbados Football Association. 12 May 2016. 2 September 2018.
  3. News: Champions!. Barbados Today. 8 May 2017. 2 September 2018.
  4. News: Another football title for St Leonard's Boys'. loopnewsbarbados.com. 10 May 2017. 2 September 2018.
  5. News: Richmond kings. Barbados Today. 15 November 2017. 2 September 2018.
  6. News: St Leonard's lords of football. Ria. Goodman. Ezra. Stuart. The Daily Nation. 13 December 2017. 2 September 2018.
  7. News: BSSFL Player of the Week: Thierry Gale. Renaldo. Gilkes. loopnewsbarbados.com. 17 December 2017. 2 September 2018.
  8. News: Thierry the top Shotta. The Daily Nation. 11 February 2015. 2 September 2018.
  9. News: Pro Shottas 'Shotting'. Ria. Goodman. The Daily Nation. 1 May 2017. 2 September 2018.
  10. News: National football players on professional contract in Hungary. Morissa. Lindsay. Barbados Today. 26 August 2018. 2 September 2018.
  11. News: Two top Bajan footballers off to Europe with big hopes. Renaldo. Gilkes. LoopTT. 29 August 2018. 2 September 2018.
  12. Web site: Young Gale signs with Honvéd FC. 2020-08-12. www.nationnews.com.
  13. News: Gale joins professional ranks. barbadostoday.bb. Morissa. Lindsay. 17 August 2020. 15 October 2020.
  14. News: Egy egészen új és egyelőre szokatlan Honvédot láthattunk // osztályozókönyv. csak.taccs.hu. 22 August 2020. 15 October 2020. hu.
  15. Web site: Gilkes . Renaldo . National footballer Thierry Gale moves to Georgia . Loop News . 19 December 2022.
  16. Web site: Rapid verpflichtet Thierry Gale. Rapid signs Thierry Gale. German. www.skrapid.at/de. 29 August 2023. 29 August 2023.
  17. News: Bragging rights to Barbados soccer. Caribbean Life. 31 March 2018. 2 September 2018.
  18. Web site: Barbados vs. Bermuda 0–0. Soccerway. 2 September 2018.
  19. News: Barbados flex scoring muscles to down Saint Martin. CONCACAF Nations League. 4 September 2019. 15 October 2020.
  20. News: Bajan baller signed to European team gives advice to fellow players. loopnewsbarbados.com. Renaldo. Gilkes. 18 August 2020. 15 October 2020.