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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Roy Keane played bizarre prank on Diego Forlan at World Cup in Russia

Diego Forlan has revealed how Roy Keane played a prank on him at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The former Uruguayan striker played with the Republic of Ireland legend at Old Trafford in the early 2000s and bumped into his former teammate while both of them were working as pundits at the tournament.

A number of former United players were staying at the same hotel and Keane couldn't resist having a laugh with the Uruguayan.

Forlan told Manchester United's website: “I was at the World Cup, and it was a coincidence that many Manchester United players stayed there in the same time.

“I remember one day we were in the gym. It was Phil [Neville], Gary [Neville], Giggsy and then I think [Patrice] Evra as well. I didn't play with him – but [I have played] against him.

“It was funny because everybody was in the same dressing room like when we were players. We were there at the World Cup working for different TV channels.

“That day I remember I was tired coming from a game, from Uruguay playing Russia, I think.

Roy Keane and Diego Forlan (Getty Images)

“I don't remember which game. I was waiting for the elevator and someone gave me a hit on the back. Strong! And said: 'Do you know how I get up to my room?!'

“I thought: who is this hitting me in the hotel like this?! I turned back and it was Keano! It was really nice [to see him again].

“It was a great time. We stayed a couple of days there and we had the opportunity to be together. He's a great guy.”

Forlan says Keane was a "great captain" and someone he learned a lot from at Old Trafford.

He added: “Being young, I had really good relationships with John O'Shea, with Wes Brown, as we were on the bench most of the time. With Phil and with Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], but then with everybody [else].

“But a great captain I had during my career was Roy Keane. Roy Keane was someone I learned a lot from. Of course, he was a little bit loud, a little bit busy! Always shouting!”

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