EU chief Donald Tusk crashed into the general election debate last night with a brutal farewell speech urging Brits not to "give up" on stopping Brexit.
The European Council President - whose term ends this month - suggested leaving the EU is "the real end of the British Empire" that will leave the UK a "second-rate player" on the world stage.
He added: "The only words that come to my mind today are simply: Don't give up.
"In this match, we had added time, we are already in extra time, perhaps it will even go to penalties?"
His comments have no legal effect but are a damning slapdown to Boris Johnson's claims he will forge a brighter future with global trade outside the EU.
Mr Tusk said: "I have heard repeatedly from Brexiteers that they wanted to leave the European Union to make the United Kingdom global again, believing that only alone, it can truly be great.
"You could hear in these voices a longing for the Empire. But the reality is exactly the opposite.
"Only as part of a united Europe can the UK play a global role, only together can we confront, without any complexes, the greatest powers of this world.
"In fact, I can say the same about Germany or France. And the world knows it. I have heard the same in India, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and South Africa.
"That after its departure, the UK will become an outsider, a second-rate player, while the main battlefield will be occupied by China, the United States and the European Union.
"'Why are they doing this?' - I was asked this regretful question everywhere I went.
"One of my English friends is probably right when he says with melancholy that Brexit is the real end of the British Empire."
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2019/2020 academic year at the College of Europe, Mr Tusk said he envies John Bercow who can now "finally, honestly say what he thinks about Brexit".
Bercow described Brexit as "the biggest foreign policy mistake in the post-war period" days after he stepped down as Speaker of the Commons.
Mr Tusk said: "Finally, if you allow me, I want to tell you something I wouldn't have dared to say a few months ago, as I could be fired for being too frank.
"And today, it is simply too late to impeach Donald, at least the European one.
"In fact, I envy John Bercow, that he can finally, honestly say what he thinks about Brexit."
It comes two weeks after Tusk delivered a brutal parting shot to the UK promising no more delays to Brexit ... probably.
The European Council President repeated his warning to Britain not to "waste this time" after he presided over an extension to January 31.
And he said: "It may be the last one. Please make the best use of this time."
