Reluctant Wales hero Allen bids quiet but proud farewell

As a result of Joe Allen’s frustration with the attention that comes with playing football, he once said that he wished he could have always worn an invisible cloak throughout his career.

The midfielder made the comment while recording a podcast conversation with Owain Tudur Jones, a former Wales and Swansea City team-mate, for his good friend.

That provided a unique insight into Allen’s innermost thoughts. The 35-year-old prefers the quiet lifestyle to that which his athletic talents have given him, despite being approachable and a thoughtful interviewee.

However, it is difficult to completely escape the spotlight when Gareth Bale, in the eyes of the majority of people, refers to you as “the greatest player of Wales.”

As his nation soared to incredible new heights with their inspiring ascent to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, Allen was a whirring, combative constant as its country reached a pivotal role in Wales’ golden age.

The midfielder helped Wales win their first World Cup in 64 years, joining Uefa in France’s team of the tournament, and was named in the tournament’s champions.

Allen claims to be “incredibly proud.” It has been a privilege and an honor to be a part of this group and a time that has had many wonderful experiences.

Allen thinks about his career in the same way he did when he was a professional: selfless, considerate, and passionate.

His technical skill on the field and his unwavering lack of possession skills set the tone for his teams more than just a cog in the machine.

Brendan Rodgers moved from Swansea to Liverpool in 2012 with the then-teen he had nicknamed “The Welsh Xavi.”

Allen would start for the Reds in more than 100 games before returning to Swansea in 2022 after six years with Stoke City, the club he had supported when he was a boy and when he was only nine.

Allen’s status as a hero was already established because he had previously played for the Swans before being promoted to the Premier League a decade later, but injury prevented him from completing his second spell.

As his powers gradually diminished as the end of his career approached, Allen’s game-time gradually decreased. In the end, he was aware of when the right moment was to retire.

“Getting older, the physical demands, the punishment that the body has already endured, and staying in shape since returning have been issues,” Allen says.

Allen’s final game of the Championship season will be against Swansea at home to Oxford United on Saturday, but there won’t be a curtain-raise against Wales.

After Wales’ group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup, Allen had previously decided to stop playing international football before being persuaded by head coach Craig Bellamy to do so last year.

Bellamy praised Allen for his role as a role model for the younger members of his squad just a few months into his tenure.

He was fantastic. Although these conversations are difficult, Allen describes the moment he told Bellamy he would be retiring permanently as nothing more than a supportive person.

I expressed my gratitude to him for everything he has done for me. I had him as a manager and played with him as a team-mate, and we both learned a lot from him. I’ll always be grateful that he gave me the chance to rejoin the squad.

Bellamy had stated that he wanted to give Allen the “fairytale ending” that his Wales career deserved, but that is currently not possible.

When he started in his place against Montenegro in October, his first international appearance in nearly two years, he was at least greeted enthusiastically by his adoring supporters.

Allen himself readily admits that he no longer acted as a force for his country as he once did.

Wales almost suffered a last-gasp defeat in their World Cup qualifier thanks to a ominous misplaced pass against North Macedonia in March, but David Brooks equalized even more strongly in extra time.

Allen laughs at what was a “depressing” moment at the time, saying, “It was a shocker.”

“It was the team’s equalization that helped me get out of a big hole. No regrets, though, as it was fantastic to come back and put on the shirt once more.

Tellingly, Brooks claimed in his post-game interviews that he and his team-mates were even more determined to bring down Allen so that the “legend” was not held responsible for the defeat.

It’s disappointing that Allen was unable to bid farewell on his own soil despite the fact that Wales were able to salvage a draw in Skopje.

However, when he first made the announcement of his international retirement, he had avert such fanfare.

Although Allen had hoped to make it to the 2026 World Cup this time around, he realized he couldn’t continue if those hopes started to wane.

That played a significant role in the choice. He claims that my gut told him I wasn’t going to get there.

Or that it wasn’t going to be the level I wanted to play for my country at a World Cup if I did.

Since Allen did not think it would be possible to make Wales’ upcoming game, a qualifying game against Liechtenstein in June, a personal send-off, there was no World Cup final act and no summer anthem.

He claims that having played my final club game, been retired, and then returned to play for international football would have complicated things.

“A difficult choice, but one that made sense,” I said.

And so will Wales resurrect after Joe Allen when they play at Cardiff City Stadium in June.

A country will express its gratitude to one of its greatest athletes, but he won’t pitch in the midst of the applause.