Gareth Bale v Cristiano Ronaldo - Here is how the two Real Madrid stars compare head to head

Wales will meet Portugal in the semi-final of Euro 2016 on Wednesday and that means a meeting between Real Madrid team-mates Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo.

CAPS

Bale won his 60th cap in the Euro 2016 quarter-final against Belgium, having made his debut in 2006 to become Wales' youngest ever player at the age of 16 years and 315 days. Ronaldo became Portugal's most capped player at Euro 2016, breaking the record of Luis Figo, and has now made 131 appearances for his country.

TOURNAMENTS

Wales had waited 58 years to play at a major finals following the 1958 World Cup. But Bale has made the most of his opportunity with three goals and one assist. Ronaldo is a veteran of major tournaments having played in seven - four European Championships and three World Cups - but has never really made a lasting impression in any.

GOALS

Bale is joint fourth on Wales' all-time scoring list with Dean Saunders on 22 goals - and six short of equalling Ian Rush's record. Ronaldo is Portugal's record goalscorer with 60, far eclipsing the previous best mark of 47 set by Pauleta.

Pic Special: Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo over the years

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Gareth Bale - the last time they played against each other

Gareth Bale will have a score to settle with Cristiano Ronaldo when he locks horns with his Real Madrid teammate on Wednesday night.

The pair are used to playing alongside eachother for their club but will go head-to-head when Wales take on Portugal in the Euro 2016 semi-final.

Bale helped Chris Coleman's side seal their spot in the last four after they dumped out Belgium on Friday night.

Now the Welsh wizard can claim bragging rights over Ronaldo with victory in Lyon.

However, the Portuguese superstar has one up on his rival from the last time they faced off five years ago

Ronaldo scored the only goal as Real Madrid clinched their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a 1-0 second-leg victory at White Hart Lane to seal an emphatic 5-0 win on aggregate.

The former Manchester United forward fired home five minutes after the break to put the tie beyond Spurs.

That proved to be the last time Bale and Ronaldo were on opposing sides as the Welshman moved to Bernabeu that summer for £85million.

Germany's Mesut Ozil: I'm as ambitious as Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo

Mesut Ozil has likened himself to Cristiano Ronaldo, saying that both players are "perfectionists on the pitch."

The duo are both currently at Euro 2016 in France, with Ronaldo's Portugal safely through to the semifinals, while Ozil's Germany face Italy for a place in the last four on Saturday.

Real Madrid star Ronaldo is well-known for his commitment and application on and off the field, and Arsenal midfielder Ozil feels he also shares similar attributes.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously very ambitious, but so am I," Ozil told L'Equipe. "I am a perfectionist on the pitch as well. I want to be successful with everything I do.

"During the time I played alongside Ronaldo [at Madrid], I saw that he always wanted to win everything, even on the training pitch. He is never satisfied and always wants more. He always wants more titles and there are not a lot of players with that attitude.

"Personally, I am not as hungry for goals like Ronaldo. But that's only normal. He is an attacker. For me, scoring goals and providing assists is the same. They both win you matches."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale prepare for Lyon semi-final showdown

Cristiano Ronaldo must be beginning to wonder if Gareth Bale is his shadow.

He transforms himself from winger to marauding goalscorer. Bale follows. He goes to Real Madrid as the most expensive player in football history. Bale follows for an even bigger fee. He inspires Portugal to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Bale follows with Wales. 

It all means a semi-final date in Lyon on Wednesday that ostensibly might be a clash between Wales and Belgium but will, in fact, be widely billed as a showdown between Real Madrid’s two biggest Galacticos. 

RONALDO: FOOTBALL FEELS ‘ABANDONED’ BY LIONEL MESSI’S RETIREMENT

Brazilian footballing legend Ronaldo believes Lionel Messi’s decision to retire from international football has left football “feeling abandoned.”

Such is the admiration of Messi’s talent, Ronaldo has set aside the rivalry between Brazil and Argentina to express hope that the Barcelona forward reverses his decision

Argentina’s defeat to Chile in the Copa America final on Sunday led to Messi’s announcement. “It was the thing I wanted the most, but I couldn’t get it, so I think it’s over,” he said.

But Ronaldo, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, is among a mass of supporters asking the 29-year-old to do a u-turn.

"It is an extremely personal choice of Messi and we have to respect," Ronaldo told Chinese news outlet Xinhua News.

"We all feel abandoned by Messi, and hope he can change his decision."

Messi, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has played in four major finals, including the 2014 World Cup against Germany, but lost them all.

His only major prize on the international stage came at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing when Argentina won gold

Cristiano Ronaldo: My Portugal 'dream' is getting closer after Poland win

Cristiano Ronaldo moved closer to his "dream" of finally landing Portugal a major international title after squeezing past Poland 5-3 on penalties in the first Euro 2016 quarter-final in Marseille on Thursday night.

Ronaldo endured a frustrating night in front of goal in his quest to match Michel Platini's record of nine Euros finals goals. Portugal drew 1-1 with Poland at the end of 120 minutes of play.

However, Ronaldo netted from the spot in the shootout to edge towards a crowning glory for what he described as an already "privileged" career, having won three Champions League titles and three World Player of the Year awards.

The dream is getting closer and anything can happen now. I'm not missing anything (in honours) and even if my career finished today, I would still feel privileged," said the Real Madrid star.

"But I've always said, and I don't hide it, that I would love to win a title with the national team. We're on the right road."