Wales not a one-man team at Euro 2016, says Gareth Bale

Dinard (France) (AFP) – Wales should not be labelled a one-man team at Euro 2016, superstar Gareth Bale warned on Thursday as their opening game against Slovakia approaches.

Real Madrid forward Bale, the world’s most expensive player, carried Chris Coleman’s side with seven goals in qualifying as Wales reached a major tournament finals for the first time since the 1958 World Cup.

But the 26-year-old was eager to stress the importance of his teammates as he spoke at the Welsh squad’s base in Dinard, Brittany.

“No, it’s never a one-man team,” said Bale, refusing to be weighed down by the expectations. “For us it’s a squad thing. We’re together stronger — we don’t just say it for no reason.

“We all work hard as one unit — we attack as one and we defend as one. When we lose the ball we all fight back to get it.

“People can write what they want but we all know that we work very hard on the training pitch every day,” added Bale, who said the team spirit was excellent as Wales prepare for their Group B opener in Bordeaux on Saturday.

“We all get on so well, we are like brothers. We are all friends and we joke around and play together but when it comes down to serious business we fight for each other.”

Wales follow the Slovakia opener in Bordeaux with games against England and Russia and, with third place potentially enough to advance from their group, they are targeting the last 16.

“We do not want to come here and make up the numbers,” said Bale.

“We have done something that we have not done in a long time, but now we want to do even better.

“We are concentrated on what we need to do, we are working hard and come game time we will be ready to go, 100 percent.”