Cristiano Ronaldo reveals what he said to Gareth Bale after dumping Wales out of Euro 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed what he said to Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Baleafter Portugal knocked Wales out of Euro 2016.

The Portuguese captain scored one and assisted the other as his side reached the final for the first time since 2004, when they lost to Greece.

Ronaldo was seen consoling Bale after the final whistle, and he also congratulated the Welshman on his side's remarkable run in the competition.

"I congratulated them on their run," Ronaldo said, having embraced Bale at the end.

"They had an amazing run. They were the shining star here, the revelation team.

"I wished them good luck and as for the rest I would rather not say."

The Welsh players stayed on the pitch after the final whistle to applaud their fans, and didn't make it back to the team hotel until 20 past midnight.

Man of the match Ronaldo's incredible header early in the second half was followed three minutes later by Nani turning home his shot, sending them into Sunday's Stade de France finale against world champions Germany or hosts France.

"This is different," the 31-year-old said, comparing this tournament to Euro 2004.

"I was 18, that was my first final. My debut. Now 12 years have gone by and now we are going to play another final. I am very proud of that.

Best photobomb ever? Ball boy sneaks into Portugal photo, hugs Cristiano Ronaldo

I

t appears the Portugal squad were good sports about it and the kid earned a hug from Ronaldo for his efforts.

Afterward, the boy joined the other ball kids and jumped in the air with a double fist pump of excitement. He probably got scolded for it afterward, but it was surely worth it.

Job well done, kid.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit three international records last night and still people deny him his dues

The Portugal captain produced one of the moments of the tournament - the goal of the tournament (sorry, Shaqiri) - and there was less of a reaction to that than there was to his gesticulations.

Hungary were let in again and Ronaldo was even angrier. The cameras panned to him. He was distraught at the thought that he could do what he just did at one end and his team mates would let a Hungarian undo it.

The laughs that followed amongst the press were widespread and deliberate. They were forcibly loud and genuinely joyous because they played into this lazy narrative that Cristiano Ronaldo is the bad guy and we're all supposed to hate him.

Honestly though, the laughs were just embarrassing.

Here was a man who will go down as one of the greatest players that ever lived and the people who are supposed to be reporting on every record that he breaks and every landscape that he changes were actively seeking his downfall. The people who are supposed to be capturing his timelessness weren't appreciating what he was doing right in front of them and they sure as hell weren't respecting it.

Ronaldo scored again and the media began to filter away from the television screens. That's not what they were looking to see.

Ronaldo has been painted as the villain and a hell of a lot of people were only too thrilled to go along with that.

Most of it is because he knows he's good. It's because he wants to win. It's even because he's vain and good-looking. Lionel Messi is portrayed as the pure saviour to the evil that is Ronaldo and no-one ever wants to even talk about Pep Guardiola's revelations in Guillem Balague's book that he almost lost Messi (who was throwing strops in training and partying with Ronaldinho) because the Argentine wanted to be treated differently - because he should be. Because he's the best.

Imagine Ronaldo retired from international football at the age of 29 and cited not winning as the problem. Honestly, imagine that.

Being convicted for tax fraud seemed to get brushed aside very quickly too and that's alright, because none of that takes away from the genius that is Lionel Messi. Nobody appreciates him any less as a special, special footballer. For some reason, they do Ronaldo though. They appreciate his skill less because they like him less.

Gareth Bale and Welsh togetherness contrast sharply with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal as Euro 2016 semi-final looms

There are two images from Euro 2016 that sum up the differencebetween Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. The first is Ronaldo posing for a selfie with a Portugal fan, who ran onto the pitch at Parc des Princes in Paris following the goalless draw against Austria in the group stages. 

Ronaldo gestured with a steward to stay back, struck a pose – and Uefa instigated disciplinary proceedings with Portugal receiving a fine.

The second came at the end of Wales’s historic 3-1 victory over Belgium on Friday evening which set up their semi-final against Portugal – with Bale coming up against Real Madrid team-mate – as the players formed a huddle that morphed into a heart to show their togetherness.

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.