Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin has revealed the pain Gareth Bale has caused him over recent months, jokingly saying 'I'll hate his guts for the rest of my life.'

The comments follow the American watching Bale deny his team the glory of an MLS Cup Final Trophy, before scoring against his beloved USMNT at the World Cup in Qatar to earn a 1-1 draw. 

That's all before watching him play golf while Philadelphia undertake preseason training in Florida. 

'Soccer Gods do exist because Bale scores that goal, he scores against the USA (at the World Cup), and then I'm sitting here in the first week of preseason in our Clearwater hotel and I have to watch Gareth Bale golf,' Curtin told The Athletic. 

Bale scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time in the second half of extra time to tie the score at 3-3 after Philadelphia had taken the lead again in the 124th minute. 

It seemed the Union were on course for the title until Bale stepped up with a leaping header into the net. LAFC went on to take the final 3-0 on penalties. 

'I'd probably love to hang out with him,' Curtin admitted. 'But I'll hate his guts for the rest of my life. That's the beauty of the sport, you know?'

Following the World Cup, Bale retired from professional soccer and the MLS looked set to bring in a certain Argentine to replace the star power of Real Madrid's former winger. 

Asked whether the MLS needed Lionel Messi, Curtin admitted he'd love to see him in the league, despite links of a move to Inter Miami. 

'Messi moves the needle. Nobody would care if a great center back that we all love got signed. 

'It'd be amazing for us, but Messi is global. He's a unique one. He'd be way bigger than Beckham, for me.'

Philadelphia and Curtin kick off their MLS campaign at home vs. Columbus Crew Saturday night.