Gareth Bale Reveals Toni Kroos, Real Madrid Jokes About Wales Before Euro 2016

Gareth Bale has revealed he used to be the butt of jokes at Real Madrid due to Wales' lack of international success, with team-mate Toni Kroos predicting a group-stage exit for the Dragons at UEFA Euro 2016. 

Per Aritz Gabilondo of AS, Bale said: "I remember Toni, Toni Kroos, saying we’d only have three games. So it’ll be nice to meet him in the final. It was a good laugh, a bit of banter. We’ve obviously exceeded a lot of people’s expectations which we understand and we’re just enjoying it now."

The Welshman elaborated on the jokes he received previously, as he was left to go on holiday in the summer while his team-mates joined up with their national teams for major tournaments:

"

Yes, I’ve had a lot of abuse over the years, so it’s good to be finally into a major tournament and to be doing great things with our national team. It’s great to be a part of it. We’ve loved every moment of it and we’ll continue to do that.

Just about when we used to lose, and how we were 100th in the world… 'you have nine weeks holiday instead of two.' Just the normal stuff.

"

On Wednesday, Bale's side will be facing off against Portugal—who boast fellow Los Blancos stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe in their ranks—and could meet Kroos in the final should they progress and Germany beat France on Thursday.

Wales, who have been outscored only by the hosts at the Euros so far with their 10 goals, are already making history as they are in their first major tournament since 1958.

Squawka Football revealed the scale of their achievement:

Along the way, Wales have won the hearts and minds of many a neutral and are now just 90 minutes away from appearing in the final.

Even if they lose against Portugal, Wales have been on an incredible journey and look in good shape to reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup, 60 years on from their last appearance on football's biggest stage.

Whatever happens on Wednesday, Bale isn't likely to face any more jokes about Wales from his club team-mates.