Zinedine Zidane has backed Gareth Bale to beat England on his own.
Real Madrid boss Zidane says Wales forward Bale will provide moments of “brilliant inspiration” to become the biggest star at the European Championship this summer.
Bale will carry the biggest threat to England when they face Wales in the Battle of Britain in Lens on June 16.
World Cup winner Zidane said: “One player can not make a team, but one player can inspire a team. With the way Gareth has been playing his Welsh team mates will be looking to him for inspiration.
“They will believe with him in the team that anything is possible. He is capable of moments of brilliance where he wins games on his own – if he can do that in France then Wales can be a force.”
Real Madrid star Bale will be playing in his first European Championship and it is Wales’ first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.
But France legend Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 in a glittering career, says Bale will rise to the occasion and give Wales a chance to upset England.
Zidane said: “I am so pleased that Gareth will be playing in France this summer. He is a phenomenal player, one of the best in the world. For him not to have played in a major international tournament would not have been right.
“The tournament will be a better tournament with Gareth there. Personally I am so happy for him that he gets to experience what it is like to play in a European Championship, and after that I hope he gets to play in a World Cup next.”
Bale finished the season by lifting the Champions League with Real Madrid and he admitted afterwards that he could barely walk because of cramp.
But the ex-Tottenham star will join up with the Wales squad this week to prepare for the Euros with England firmly in his sights.
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