Roy Keane Named Man Utd Icon the ‘Most Intelligent’ Player He’s Seen

· GiveMeSport

Roy Keane rarely hands out big compliments, but he couldn't praise one of his old Man Utd teammates enough.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane doesn't hand out compliments regularly, which makes it even more remarkable that he once named one of his ex-teammates 'the most intelligent player' he's ever seen.

Keane is one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history , having led by example as the Red Devils' captain in four title-winning seasons.

The Irishman was arguably one of the smartest players in Sir Alex Ferguson's squad during his peak years. An attribute that may go under the radar due to his image as a Premier League hardman and tough-tackling midfielder.

Many top-class players came and went during Keane's 12-year stay at Old Trafford. Several were undoubtedly intelligent and clever on the pitch, such as Paul Scholes, Eric Cantona and Wayne Rooney .

But speaking during Euro 2020, Keane singled out Cristiano Ronaldo as the 'most intelligent' player he'd ever seen. The pair spent two years together at Man Utd , when Keane was a veteran and Ronaldo was a teenage sensation.

Ahead of Portugal's Round of 16 defeat against Belgium, Keane was effusive in his praise for the now five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"He’s the most intelligent player I have seen in my life," the midfielder-turned-pundit said. "Obviously I’m not going back to the 50s and 60s, but the guy loves scoring goals."

It's perhaps the most complimentary the popular pundit has ever been about another player. Keane, who included Ronaldo in his all-time top three, continued:

> "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."

Summing up his awe at the brain of his old teammate, Keane concluded: "Just the brain he’s got, the cleverest player ever."

The respect between Keane and Ronaldo has always appeared to be mutual. As a teenager breaking into the biggest club in England, Ronaldo remembers Keane being a good role model .

In a 2022 interview with Piers Morgan, the now 41-year-old said: "As I mentioned many times, Roy Keane for me was my best captain ever."

He was also very complimentary of iconic England defender Rio Ferdinand. Speaking about the two men, Ronaldo added:

> "Rio Ferdinand helped me a lot. He was my neighbour; I was his neighbour. So very, very good guys.

> "Not just because they speak good about me, but they were there in the dressing room. They are football players. They know how players think and behave, etc."

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