Michael Owen, Pundits and Fans left confused as Eric Cantona rambles on at Champions League draw

‘That has to be the most bizarre speech I’ve ever heard’: Fans and pundits left confused as Eric Cantona rambles on while collecting UEFA award 24 years after his ‘when the seagulls follow the trawler’ epic

  • Eric Cantona received the UEFA President’s award at Champions League draw 
  • Frenchman is known to be eccentric but his speech left onlookers baffled 
  • He said: ‘As flies to we are for the goats, they kill us for the sport’ 
  • Many fans took to social media to mock the former Manchester United star 

Fans and pundits were left utterly baffled by Eric Cantona’s acceptance speech for an award at the Champions League draw. 

The Frenchman is known to be eccentric but members of the crowd watched open-mouthed at his monologue.  

After picking up the UEFA President’s award, Cantona said: ‘As flies to want and boys, we are for the goats, they kill us for the sport. Soon the science will not only be able to throw down the ageing of the cells.

Eric Cantona made an incredibly strange speech after picking up an award at the draw

‘Soon the science will be able to fix the cells to the state. Soon it will become eternal.

‘Only accidents, crimes, wars, will still kill us. But unfortunately, crimes and wars will multiply. I love football. Thank you.’

The speech was from Shakespeare’s King Lear, though that was lost on many watching. 

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo looked on in astonishment and plenty took to social media to voice their confusion.  

The Frenchman's words left plenty in Monaco and those watching on very confused

The Frenchman’s words left plenty in Monaco and those watching on very confused

One fan wrote: ‘Cantona mate, you okay?’ And BT Sport pundit Michael Owen tweeted: ‘This has to be the most bizarre speech I’ve heard. 

Another posted: ‘Anybody on Twitter that can translate crazy to English. Eric Cantona needs you. 

The was one slightly kinder take as a fan chose to praise Cantona’s sartorial elegance rather than question the speech. 

Until now, Cantona’s most famous line was: ‘When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.’ 

This was after learning he would have to complete 120 hours of community service after the famous kung-fu kick of a Crystal Palace fan in 1995. 

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