Bale focussing just on the semi-final, not on personal rivalry

The first Euro 2016 semi-final has been billed as a clash between Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Wales star does not see it that way.

Wales take on Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday, seeking to reach the final of a major international tournament for the first time in their history.

Bale has been a key man for Chris Coleman's side, scoring three goals in the group stage of the competition, with the clash against his Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo particularly enticing.

But despite the media's attempts to build up their rivalry, Bale played it down when he went in front of the press on Monday.

"It's not about two players, it is about two nations in a semi-final, 11 men against 11 men," said Bale. "Everybody knows that really."

The world's most expensive player

Bale - the most expensive player in the history of football - has been criticised at times for putting Wales over Real Madrid, but the passion the forward has for his country is clear to see.

There have been widespread rumours that Bale and Ronaldo do not get on well with each other, with body language experts poring over their behaviour on the pitch for hints and clues.

However, Bale backed up recent comments made by the former Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti - now in charge of Bayern Munich - who said the pair are close.

"Of course we get on very well at Madrid, we enjoy playing with each other," said Bale.

"He's a fantastic player, everybody knows what he can do. But we have always spoken about what we do, what we do ourselves as a team. We don't worry about the opposition."

Wales have belief

The run to the semi-finals by Wales has been the story of the tournament, but Bale is dreaming of extending his stay in France for a little while longer.

Portugal will go into the game as favourites - they are priced at 5/4 to win the game in 90 minutes and just 4/7 to go through to the final - but Wales and Bale relish their underdog status.

"We all believed from the start. As we have said many times, we didn't come here to make up the numbers," Bale said. "We came here to do a job, we came to do the business."

Wales are at their first appearance at a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, but Bale insists that the aim is to lift the trophy in Sunday's final at the Stade de France in Paris.

"Ultimately we want to win the tournament," Bale added. "We know we're a step closer again but, the thing we keep saying time and time again, we can't think past the semi-final now.

"We have to concentrate everything on the semi. If we can get the job done, then we can look forward to the final."

If Bale and Co can get past Portugal, few would bet against them going on to win the title, an achievement that would rank alongside Greece's unlikely triumph at Euro 2004, when they beat Portugal in the final.