I have no rift with Cristiano Ronaldo, says Gareth Bale

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale listen to Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane during a training session at the City of Manchester Stadium

Gareth Bale insists there are no issues between him and his Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

There was speculation of a rift between them as Bale was criticised last year.

But three-time world player of they year Ronaldo defended Bale, who reiterated his view ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City.

"We've said many times, both of us, that we get on fine, we get on well," said the Wales forward.

"The media tries to create something that is not there.

"The most important thing is the football. We try and win games and trophies."

Bale, 26, has been in sparkling form recently, scoring twice as Real fought back from 2-0 down to beat Rayo Vallecano 3-2 in Saturday's La Liga encounter.

Ronaldo missed that game with a thigh injury but he is expected to return against City at the Etihad, where he is set to start alongside Bale.

The Welshman, who joined Real from Tottenham in 2013, says the two players have a good relationship.

"He [Ronaldo] speaks English which helped me when I first came here. We also have that link from the Premier League," Bale added.

"We've never had a problem. I've never had an argument with him. He's a very, very passionate person on the pitch - everyone knows that. He's very determined.

"People sometimes seem to take that the wrong way. We haven't had a problem."