It is unclear whether Inter Milan’s Diego Simeone and Ronaldo were trying to get into the head of Manchester United captain Roy Keane, before their quarter-final tie in the 1998-99 Champions League.
What is clear is that whatever the meaning and motivation behind their brief exchange, Roy Keane came out on top. And more importantly, the result of the match went in United’s favour.
Roy Keane And The 1998-99 Champions League
Manchester United went into the game with a 2-0 lead nil after the first leg in Old Trafford. This came after navigating their way through a difficult group that featured both Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
In those days, there was no round of 16 and only the two best runner ups from the groups would make it through to the quarters. United went unbeaten in Group D to progress as the second best runner up.
Despite finishing second in Serir A the year previously Inter would only finish 7th that season, and United, with an all-time side would have been expecting to reach the semis.
The home leg in Old Trafford turned out to be a rather routine 2-0 win for the home side. Both goals came courtesy of a Beckham assist and a headed finish from Dwight Yorke.
Inter, whose side boasted the likes Zanetti, Djorkaeff, Baggio, and Simeone, were missing their star man and the best player in the world at the time Ronaldo.
However, Ronaldo would be back for the second leg, and along with Simeone would be involved in the interesting pre-match exchange Keane.
While United were shaking the hands of the Inter Milan players, Simeone and Ronaldo were fixing their sock and shin guards, their heads facing down not looking at the United players. Rather than wait for them to finish, Roy Keane never broke stride and continued walking.
While Simeone is known for his shithousing, Ronaldo does give Keane a friendly pat on the back as he walks away and could be given the benefit of the doubt. In terms of Roy Keane moments it is right up there with his tunnel antics against Wolves when he refused to wait for Paul Ince.
Inter took the lead in the match, setting up a tense finish, but Paul Scholes put the tie to bed with a goal in the 88th minute.
United would famously go onto win the Champions League in what was their treble winning year of 1999.
In Wednesday's Champions League tie they face Atletico Madrid in the round of 16. Atletico are of course coached by Simeone, who will no doubt have more tricks and antics up his sleeve as he attempts to disrupt Ragnick’s United.
See Also: Talk From Roy Keane Turned All Blacks Legend Off England Job
