Tuesday 5 July 2016 23:45, UK
Gareth Bale insists Wales' historic Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal is not about Cristiano Ronaldo and him.
The Real Madrid team-mates, who have competed for the Bernabeu spotlight for three seasons, face each other representing their nations in Lyon on Wednesday.
The two are also competing for the Euro 2016 golden boot but Bale insists the match will be down to which country performs better as a team.
He said on Monday: "It's not about two players. We know and everybody knows that it's about two nations in the semi-final - 11 men against 11.
"[Ronaldo] is a fantastic player, everyone knows what he can do. But we don't worry about the opposition. We just do what we do. It's about how we perform as a team, and as a team we can shut out a lot of threats.
"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."
In contrast to a relaxed and happy Bale, Ronaldo seemed to reveal a tense demeanour earlier in the tournament when he threw a TV reporter's microphone into a lake.
Bale laughed at the mention of the incident and stated he was sure his club colleague "had his reasons".
Bale said: "I can't comment on how he's feeling or what he's doing. I'm sure he had his reasons for doing what he did.
"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 very well at Madrid and enjoy playing with each other. What he does off the pitch is 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."
Key players Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies will miss the semi-final through suspension, but Bale says their absence makes the Wales squad even more determined to reach the final.
"It's horrible," he said. "The rules are difficult to take sometimes. They'll be hurt deep down, but they're not showing it. It's extra motivation to get to final."
