Roy Keane says he 'made' Cristiano Ronaldo, former Manchester United captain makes joke

Keane discusses his influence on the Real Madrid striker

Cristiano Ronaldo, regarded by many the greatest player on the planet, or if not, certainly the second best. Three time winner of the Ballon d'Or, two-time Champions League winner, Real Madrid's all-time leading goal scorer. But none of it would have been possible if it weren't for Roy Keane.

Ronaldo's former team-mate at Old Trafford quipped that if it weren't for his influence, the Portuguese star would not have reached the levels he has.

"Yeah I made him," Keane joked with reporters. "If it wasn't for me he wouldn't be where he is."

Keane was talking ahead of the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 play-off first-leg against Bosnia. Asked about Ronaldo and if some players needed to be treated differently, Keane explained: "Yeah, of course, yeah. Obviously different players have different traits.

"How you speak to them, who you shout at, who you don't. I didn't shout at Ronaldo that much. I didn't have to."

Roy Keane with Cristiano Ronaldo

The two crossed paths at Manchester United between 2003 and 2005 before Keane departed the club after a falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson. During that time they won the 2004 FA Cup together.