Inspired Gareth Bale not focused on Euro 2016 Golden Boot

Gareth Bale is hoping he and his teammates can emulate the Welshmen who played in the 1958 World Cup. Stu Forster / Getty Images

Gareth Bale says his determination to inspire a Welsh generation is more important to him than winning the Golden Boot at Euro 2016.

Bale heads into Wales’ last-16 tie against Northern Ireland in Paris on Saturday evening as the competition’s joint top scorer with three goals.

The Real Madrid forward became the first player since Ruud van Nistelrooy and Milan Baros at Euro 2004 to score in all three group games.

But Bale insists he is not bothered about individual awards, saying: “It is really not about me in the Golden Boot.

“I have been told that I am joint top goal-scorer, but it is not important to me.

“If we win every game 1-0, we win the title and I don’t score again, then I really couldn’t care less.

“For me it is just about winning whether it is an own goal or someone else scores in our team.

“For other players [finishing top scorer] it might be important, but for me it is not.

“If I happen to get it brilliant, if I don’t it is not going to change me in any way, shape or form.”

Bale’s third goal of the tournament came as Wales brushed aside Russia 3-0 in Toulouse on Monday night to finish above England and win their group.

Chris Coleman’s squad spent the morning of the match watching a documentary charting the story of Welsh football from the nation’s last appearance at a major tournament, the 1958 World Cup.

From Ian Hawkey at Euro 2015:

It struck a chord with a squad who finally managed to get over the qualifying line after so many near misses in the past.

“We have had amazing players going through history,” said Bale, who acknowledged the current team would emulate the ‘58 side by beating Northern Ireland and reaching the quarter-finals.

“Seeing the failure, and even being there as fans to see us not quite qualify, it does drive you on even more.

“It has always been my dream to qualify for a major tournament and to test ourselves on the bigger stage.

“We are doing that now and I think we are thriving.

“Everybody is waking up and seeing what Welsh football is about.

“But it is not just about this tournament and what is going on now, we want to qualify for other tournaments and grow football in Wales.

“We want to get other kids playing and be role models to make football even bigger in Wales.”

Bale has emerged as a real leader of this team, both on and off the pitch at Euro 2016.

As well as his influence on the pitch, he has taken the lead when it comes to media responsibilities.

It is a sign that the 26-year-old player has matured and is putting his three years at Real Madrid, a club where every move is scrutinised, to good effect when it comes to international duty.

“Obviously things that have happened before, even games I have played good or bad, I have had to deal with the pressure,” Bale said.

“I suppose the more you are in that situation the more you get used to it.

“There are times when you want to be doing better and you wish you were playing better.

“But you learn a lot more about yourself going through the difficult periods, and I have come out stronger fighting and showed my character.

“I can call on my experience now – I never thought I would ever say that, I feel I am like 18 still – and use it to my advantage, and help my team as well.”

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