Ahead of Wales’ clash with Portugal, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo haven’t spoken since the teams learnt they would face each other.
There was a predictable line of humour heading Gareth Bale’s way before he took his leave of the Bernabeu and headed off for his big adventure at the European Championships with Wales, while his teammates joined their more ‘strong’ national sides.
“I remember Toni Kroos saying we’d only have three games,” Bale told the press on Monday. “So it would be nice to meet him in the final…” This was a variation on a very old theme, as any long-suffering Wales player like Bale will tell you. The stick was unremitting “when we used to lose and when we were 100th in the world. ‘You have nine weeks holiday instead of two.’ Just the normal stuff,” he stated, along with a wide grin on his face.
These disclosures came in response to the question of whether he and Cristiano Ronaldo, whom Bale finds himself up against in the Lyon semi-final on Wednesday night, had discussed the tournament before going their separate ways in May. The flat ‘no’ Bale offered in response spoke volumes for the fact that there is something less than love in their relationship.
Bale speaks about Pepe injury:
Pepe, whose thigh muscle strain prevented him training on Tuesday and renders him a doubtful for Stade de Lyon, will be a great loss for Portugal on Wednesday. when asked about the matter, Bale responded with; “He’s a very professional athlete and a great man,”
“He’s been very good with me. It’ll be a big loss but I’m sure he’ll do everything he can to get fit.”
