Gareth Bale has insisted Wales are not a one-man band at Euro 2016.
Real Madrid striker Bale scored seven of Wales' 11 goals in qualifying for France, as well as claiming two assists, as the nation ended a 58-year wait for a major tournament.
But the world's most expensive player shunned the one-man team label as he addressed the media ahead of Wales' tournament opener against Slovakia on Saturday.
"It's never a one-man team, for us it's a squad thing," said Bale.
"We're together stronger and it's there for a reason - we don't just say it for no reason.
"We all work hard as one unit, we attack as one and we defend as one. When we lose the ball we all fight back to get it.
"People can write what they want, but we all know that we work very hard on the training pitch every day."
Bale carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, but he says he is unconcerned by the weight of expectation.
Neither is he bothered by the possibility that he could be a marked man at the tournament, and the 26-year-old has no interest in calling for greater protection from referees.
"I just want to go out and play football, to enjoy myself on the football pitch," said Bale.
"We all get on so well, we are like brothers.
"We are all friends and we joke around and play together.
"But when it comes down to serious business we fight for each other.
"We have fun at the same time. We want to enjoy it and when you enjoy your football you play your best.
"Obviously you'd like to think you'll get protection but all referees are different. You hope that they referee the game fairly - that's all you can ask for really."
At Wales' media centre in Dinard, Bale also spoke by video link to Gwyn Morris, his former Whitchurch High School PE master, and two current pupils of his old Cardiff school.
Asked by one pupil which former Welsh player Bale - who made his international debut 10 years ago last month - would have in the side now, said: "Ryan Giggs, he was hero growing up.
"He was an amazing player and it would have been amazing for him to play on the international stage like this as well.
"It has been a bit surreal being here, especially with Wales having not been there so long.
"Whenever there was a major championship on I would be sat and home watching on TV, so to be involved is amazing.
"I imagined qualifying, it was one of my dreams to do so, but to make dreams come true is not easy."
Wales follow the Slovakia opener in Bordeaux with games against England and Russia.
The focus is very much on getting out of the group and into the knock-out stages.
"We do not want to come here and make up the numbers," said Bale.
"We have done something that we have not done in a long time, but now we want to do even better.
"We are concentrated on what we need to do, we are working hard and come game time we will be ready to go, 100 per cent."
Source: PA-WIRE
