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Gareth Bale is ready to inspire a generation after claiming he can help ignite a new passion that will see football overtake rugby as the most popular sport in Wales.

Bale was last night crowned the country’s finest footballer yet again when he picked up the prestigious FAW Player of the Year Award.

It was the fourth time he has scooped the prize – a new record after overtaking three-times winners John Hartson and Mark Hughes in the 24-year history of the honour.

But Bale, who helped club side Real Madrid to a groundbreaking ‘Decima’ of 10 European Cup triumphs with his goal in last season’s Champions League final, is already eyeing more history.

With Chris Coleman’s side in action against Bosnia on Friday as part of a crunch Euro 2016 qualifying home-double header, the world’s most expensive footballer has got his sights set on a long-awaited major finals for Welsh football.

And with a biggest home crowd in years expected for Friday’s clash with World Cup qualifiers Bosnia and Cardiff City Stadium, the country’s most iconic sportsman says he and the rest of Coleman’s side can help the game hit new heights in his homeland.

Pictures: Bale beats Andorra on his own

Bale wants to see football take its place as the country’s No.1 sport after watching rugby retake its crown on the national front, and as he laid bare his determination to see Wales succeed, the 25-year-old said: “This side has massive potential. We've 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, 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 for all of us that is to qualify for a major tournament.

“Everyone wants to test themselves at highest level for club and in international football and that’s our target.

“I want to make history with Wales and qualify for a major tournament and we're all on the same path.

“There is no point in playing football if you don't believe you can do that. We all firmly believe we're pushing in the right direction.

“There is a buzz around the team and I feel football can overtake rugby in Wales soon.

“I remember when I was younger the Millennium Stadium was full every time I went to watch. Rugby has obviously overtaken it in recent years but I feel football is on the incline and we can get a lot of fans to the games and get the support behind us.

“So it is not only important for us to get to a major championship, but as a nation as a whole we want to inspire more kids to play football and become a better national team.”

(Image: 2011 David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Bale knows he has a key role to play in that, despite putting individual honours aside to praise the rest of his teammates.

Wales skipper Ashley Williams’ claims Bale is helping people in Wales fall in love again with the national side were modestly laughed off by the ex-Tottenham man, although he did add pulling on the red shirt remained “the ultimate honour”.

Yet he insisted he does not feel the pressure of delivering as Wales get set to take on second seeds Bosnia before facing Cyprus on Monday – despite the hammer blow of Arsenal ace Aaron Ramsey and Liverpool star Joe Allen pulling out with injuries.

Coleman’s top three talents played together for only the first time in 13 games in last month’s nervy win in atrocious conditions in Andorra, but Bale will have to carry much of the creative burden alone come Friday with neither Ramsey nor Allen available.

Yet after getting used to the pressure-cooker environment of Real’s Bernabeu following his £85m move to Madrid a year ago, Bale says he doesn’t feel the weight of expectation.

(Image: PA Wire)

He said: "It's a big blow - Joe and Aaron are two fantastic players.

“But we have players who can come in and do a good job for us like they would do.

“So I'm looking forward to the game and I don't feel any more pressure. I want to go out and do the best for my country and that's all I can do. I will always go on the pitch and give 100 per cent and hopefully that will be good enough.

“We know Bosnia are a good side – they showed that by getting to the World Cup and they've obviously got some good players. We know a lot about them and that they're a good team but we believe in ourselves and hopefully we can give them a good game and get the victory on Friday.”