Welsh superstar, Gareth Bale has played down the significance of his duel with Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Wales’ Euro 2016 semi-final against Portugal.
Their relationship has been the subject of intense media scrutiny, with both insisting there is no rift.
They meet in Lyon on Wednesday, Wales’ first semi-final at a major tournament.
“It’s not about two players, it is about two nations in a semi-final, 11 men against 11 men,” said Wales’ Bale.
“Everybody knows that really.”
Bale became the world’s most expensive footballer when he joined Real from Tottenham for £85m in 2013, surpassing the £80m the Spanish club paid Manchester United for Ronaldo in 2009.
The two players have formed a potent attacking three with French striker Karim Benzema, helping Real to win two Champions League titles in the last three seasons.