The world’s most expensive player is set to grace a major tournament for the first time tomorrow against Slovakia.

Real Madrid superstar Bale scored seven and set up two more of Wales’ 11 goals during qualification.

But the £85m-man said: "This is not a one-man team, it’s never a one-man team.

"For us it’s a squad thing. We’re ‘Together Stronger’ and that motto we have is there for a reason – 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 and we will be ready for this."

When Bale and his colleagues stride out at Stade de Bordeaux they will be the first Welsh side since 1958 to take to the field in a major tournament.

"Ryan Giggs was my hero growing up," said Bale.

"He was an amazing player and it would have been amazing for him to play on the international stage like this as well.

"We have the chance and we’re all looking forward to it. The whole nation is looking forward to it."