Portugal v Wales: Clash of the Real titans in Euro showdown

Wales captain Ashley Williams, centre, shares a joke with team-mates during training ahead of their European semi-final against Portugal. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

As Ronaldo walks disconsolately off the camera would cut to Bale, who then delivers a sly wink to a team-mate. Mission accomplished.

It was ten years ago last week that Wayne Rooney was sent off in roughly similar circumstances.

Ronaldo, on this occasion, was the winker, Rooney the victim of not just his own stupidity – the flick of his boot into Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho’s groin was imbecilic – but also Ronaldo’s apparent scheming.

The Portuguese had clearly instructed his team-mates to wind up his then Manchester United team-mate. The wink was interpreted as ‘job done’.

Ten-man England did well to take the World Cup quarter-final against Portugal to penalties, at which stage they lost 3-1. Manager Sven Goran Eriksson perceptively cautioned England supporters against “killing” Rooney. “You will need him,” he added.

But more pressing was the potential damage done to Rooney and Ronaldo’s relationship and whether they would be able to return to their lives as Old Trafford team-mates. Some ventured this would be impossible, the rift too deep. But together the youngsters helped Manchester United win the Premier League title the following season, each of them scoring 23 goals in all competitions.

The ability of club teammates to divest their club loyalties in favour of their country’s welfare is an issue again tonight when Portugal take on Wales for a place in the final of Euro 2016.

“I was defending my colours, my country,” said Ronaldo after that 2006 incident. He will aim to do so again tonight in Lyon. Bale, meanwhile, has the same agenda. While sharing similarly athletic physiques, the two Real Madrid titans really could not be more different away from the pitch.

Ronaldo and Rooney mended their relationship. They were young and perhaps better equipped to shrug off perceived slights. I remember covering a press conference prior to Manchester United playing Celtic in the Champions League the following season and noting how Ronaldo was getting irked by the time Rooney was taking to complete an interview with reporters. But the point was they were travelling together from the Manchester United training ground at Carrington that day. Events of the summer had already been consigned to history.

There is perhaps even greater scrutiny on Ronaldo and Bale now. They are both firmly established stars of the world game, reigning European champions with their club side, Real Madrid.

But only one of them can become a European Championship finalist with their country. In addition, the outcome of tonight’s game could have a significant bearing on whether either wins the Ballon d’Or this year.

Perhaps tellingly, Bale admitted earlier this week they had not contacted each other since the start of the tournament. They are contrasting personalities.

Even during these finals this has been apparent; Bale has happily undertaken press chores while the most recent time Ronaldo had a microphone placed in front of him he ripped it out of the hand of the reporter and threw it in a nearby lake.

In terms of their respective states of mind, Bale seems in a better place to deliver the kind of performance to help propel his team into the final. Ronaldo has impressed in fits and starts this summer. Bale, meanwhile, has scored three goals – one more than Ronaldo.

There might be few personal duels between the pair tonight. After all, they should be in different halves of the pitch for the most part. In terms of a player coming a cropper at the hands of a club team-mate, there is probably more likelihood of a Bale v Pepe storyline emerging, providing the latter overcomes a muscle injury.

Although the pair are close friends in Madrid, Pepe on reputation is hardly likely to think twice about feigning injury if it means hampering the opposition’s chances. And if it is his pal Bale who suffers as a result of such Machiavellian antics, then that’s simply a pity.

As a centre-half, Pepe is likely to come into closer contact with Bale. Though exactly how much contact might become something to debate; Pepe, of course, has a reputation for pretending to be hurt. This talent was most recently showcased in Real Madrid’s Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid in May.

Wales manager Chris Coleman yesterday considered the question of ‘dark arts’. He was quick to assure those listening that Wales should not be considered soft touches. They shouldn’t be cast as innocents from the valleys. As well as being well-prepared, Wales are prepared for anything.

They know the lengths some will go to in order to prosper. Coleman, who has managed in both Spain and Greece, stressed Wales will do what’s required to win as well.

“Gamesmanship?” he pondered. “I think sometimes it is being streetwise. We are better at that now .We used to be far too honest. We used to be miles behind, not any more. Anything you need to do to stay in the game you do it. I call it being streetwise. And we have got a lot better at it.” But there was room for sentiment on the eve of Wales’ biggest-ever football match. Many felt the part the late Gary Speed played in their renaissance needed to be addressed. And difficult though it might have been, it was.

As throughout this tournament, the impressive Coleman rose to his latest challenge when asked if the memory of Speed, who died five years ago, would be to the fore tonight in Lyon.

“He is a sporting icon not just a Welsh icon,” said Coleman. “I don’t need a game of football to remind me of Gary, my friend, who no doubt could have been sitting here where I am, enjoying what we are enjoying.

“Unfortunately that chance was taken away. Of course Gary is always in our thoughts.”