Wales is hero in their country

Wales forward Gareth Bale described his side's Euro 2016 homecoming as "very special", as thousands of Welsh fans welcomed their heroes home.

Wales' run to the semi-finals, as they competed in their first major finals since 1958, was their best performance at an international tournament.

Although Wales' involvement at Euro 2016 ended with a 2-0 defeat by Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday, fans say the players' heroics have changed football in the country forever.

Fans greeted the squad at Cardiff airport on Friday before the team took an open-top bus tour through Cardiff.

"It's very special. Seeing what it means to the whole country and obviously it's nice for us to say a little thank you for supporting us and being there with us for the journey.

"It's an incredible feeling and there is no prouder honour than putting on the red shirt for Wales and to share it with all these fans is incredible."

"It's amazing scenes and we'll never forget," said the Real Madrid man, 26.

The supporters - nicknamed the 'Red Wall' by Wales' players - thronged the streets of the capital on Friday.

"We are just really proud to be Welsh," said midfielder Aaron Ramsey, adding: "To see all the support has been phenomenal.

"Because we have been away from it, we haven't seen the impact it has had back here. We haven't experienced that.

"We have heard from our families and stuff like that, that the atmosphere has been phenomenal, but this is the first time we are experiencing any of this and it is really special."

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