Manchester United legend Roy Keane heaped praise on former Red Cristiano Ronaldo before his Portugal side were knocked out of Euro 2020 on Sunday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined United in 2003 for a fee of £12.24million, making him the most expensive teenager in English football history at the time.
The Portuguese wideman spent six extremely successful years at Old Trafford, clinching three Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy and the FA Cup - among other individual and collective medals.
Ronaldo's first two years in England were spent under the stewardship of former United captain Roy Keane before the Irishman eventually left the club in November 2005.
Fast forward nearly 16 years and Ronaldo is still one of the world's most influential players, netting five goals in his first three games of Euro 2020 to help Portugal qualify for the round of 16, where they faced Belgium on Sunday evening.
Despite the 36 year old's best efforts, the Selecao were defeated 1-0 by Roberto Martinez's side courtesy of Thorgan Hazard's first-half strike - condemning Ronaldo to an early exit in what could have been his last game at a European Championships.
Keane was analysing the game as a pundit for ITV and heaped praise on his former Manchester United teammate's intelligence in the pre-game buildup
“He's the most intelligent player I have seen in my life", Keane said.
“Obviously I'm not going back to 50s and 60s but the guy loves scoring goals.
“His intelligence is amazing, how he plays the game, he doesn't get involved in build-up play but he's got that trickery and arrogance which you need from the great players.
“The brain, the intelligence of the man, how he's done it in different countries, how he's looked after himself off the pitch as well.
“I can't praise the man enough, he's an absolute genius, I love watching him. Just the brain he's got, the cleverest player ever.”
Keane's praise was echoed by former France and Arsenal midfielder and fellow ITV pundit Patrick Vieira, who hailed Ronaldo as the perfect role model for young players.
Vieira said: “From Monday to Saturday how he looks after himself on the training field..I think this is why this guy is a really good example for every single young person who wants to be a player."
