Gareth Bale hopeful of Wales qualification

Gareth Bale has admitted that qualifying for a major tournament with Wales would match his recent Champions League success at Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old rounded off his first season at Los Blancos by lifting the showpiece trophy in last May's final against city-rivals Atletico Madrid.

However, Bale says that achievement will be equalled should he help his national side reach the 2016 European Championship finals.

"This Wales side has massive potential," the Welshman is quoted as saying by Wales Online. "We have been together for quite a long time now, we get along really well and it's really a tight-knit group.

"I think we're all growing as players and we're all growing in confidence and as long as everyone stays committed and working hard we can all go on to achieve out goals. And that is to qualify for a major tournament. Everyone wants to test themselves at highest level for club and in international football.

"I went to Madrid to win trophies and I've been lucky enough do that. Every player wants to win trophies and everyone wants to play in the major international competitions so for us to reach Euro 2016 would rank right up there with winning the Champions League with Real. Hopefully we can do it."

Bale was this week named as the Welsh footballer of the year for the fourth time.