In the build up to the high-octane Euro 2016 semi-final between underdog Wales and Portugal, media flooded reports of a Bale vs Ronaldo showdown. However Real Madrid and Wales star Gareth Bale had a counter point to present regarding this matter.
Gareth Bale on Wednesday asserted that the semi-final clash against Portugal is much more than a duel between him and his Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. He also said that the Chris Coleman-coached Wales squad has all the potential to defeat any team in the world.
Wales reached the semi-finals after outplaying Belgium 3-1 in the quarters, while Portugal clinched a last minute win over Poland, 6-5 on penalties to book a spot in the semis.
Bale and Ronaldo has been the main striking force of Real Madrid for the past three seasons but media reports always pointed out that striking duo shared a hostile relationship.
Wales v Portugal = Bale v Ronaldo?
Not according to @GarethBale11…#SSNHQ https://t.co/FKv4REczSI— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) July 4, 2016
Bale on Wednesday rubbished all such rumours and accentuated that they share a strong bond and also made it clear that he expects a high-octane encounter in the semi-final between two immensely talented squads.
“It’s not about two players, everybody knows that, it’s about two nations, 11 men versus 11 men,” said Bale.
“It will be a very different game, they’re in the semis for a reason but we’ll enjoy the occasion as we have done.”
” Ronaldo is a fantastic player, everybody knows what he can do, but we speak about what we can do as a team.
“The teams we’ve played had very good individuals, but it’s about how we perform as a team and by doing that we can shut out a lot of threats,” he added.
Bale also advised his teammates that they need to play as unit and have to deploy all that they have in their arsenal in order to secure a spot in the final.
“The star in our team is all of us. We are all together, we all work as one, running for each other, tackling for each other. We get on like brothers and we’re having fun, enjoying the occasion, with no fear. It’s working so far,” said Bale.
Ronaldo drew a lot of criticism after he commented that Iceland has a small mentality and threw a journalist’s microphone in the lake. When asked about this incident, Gareth Bale refused to comment.
“I’m not too sure (if Ronaldo is feeling tense), I can’t comment on what he’s feeling. I’m sure he had his reasons for doing what he did,” said Bale.
“I feel comfortable and we’re enjoying ourselves. Sometimes you have to fulfil your responsibilities and doing interviews is a part of it.”
“We get on well at Madrid and we enjoy playing with each other. I’m not sure what he does off the pitch, that’s his private life. It’s not for me to decide who’s the better player. If I can help Wales win that’s all I need,” he concluded.