Andy Cole admits he "nearly wet himself" when he crossed paths with Ronaldo prior to a Champions League clash.
The Englishman was one of Manchester United's most potent attacking weapons, but Ronaldo was the game's elite striker.
A year earlier he had been a star at the 1998 World Cup and was looking to help Inter Milan advance to the last four in Europe.
United got the better of a Ronaldo-less Inter at Old Trafford before holding them to a draw in the San Siro to advance.
The Brazilian frontman returned to the starting XI for the clash in Italy having missed the first-leg.
And Cole concedes, despite being prolific in his own right, that standing next to the then 22-year-old was a surreal experience.
He told the Beautiful Game Podcast: "I remember when we played Inter Milan that same season and I lined up in the tunnel and I saw Ronaldo. I’m not gonna lie, I nearly wet myself!
"This is the guy I’ve watched for years. I’m talking about a baller, a straight baller.
"He had everything in the locker and I’m standing in the tunnel at the San Siro and I’m saying: 'This is sick!', but when you’re at that level and you think, 'Man, I’m actually at this level with these guys. I’m on the same pitch as these guys, I’m on that level', it's surreal.
"I’m always honest and I’m always open when it comes to things like this. Playing against these kinds of guys.
"It’s something that when I do take the opportunity to look back, I say to my boys: 'I’ve done alright. I’ve half made it!'."
