Eric Cantona was a fabulous footballer. The Frenchman had success with Auxerre, Marseille and Leeds but it was at Manchester United where he became a worldwide star. Signed for £1.
2 million in 1992, Cantona went on to score 82 goals in 185 games for the club. He won nine trophies in his five-season spell at the club, including four Premier League titles. Above all else though, ' the King' of Old Trafford was one of the sport's biggest mavericks.
Whether it be the infamous collar, or his fiery temper, the Frenchman knew how to make himself stand out from everyone else. He also has an interesting way with words. No one will forget his speech about the seagulls following the trawler after his prison sentence for attacking a fan was overturned.
Just when everyone thought Cantona couldn't get any more bizarre, the former attacker (in more ways than one), left people confused at a UEFA ceremony back in 2019. In 1995, Cantona lost his head and kung-fu kicked a Crystal Palace fan. Alex Ferguson's reaction in the dressing room afterwards was legendary.
Cantona's Speech in 2019 In 2019, the mercurial mastermind was invited to UEFA's Champions League group stage draw to receive the UEFA President's Award. In classic Cantona fashion, the nonchalant character rocked up in a flat cap, pink shirt and chinos whilst the remainder of the room sported finely pressed tuxedos. What then followed was one of the oddest speeches known to man, where the former France international mentioned football.