"?Ex-Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo claims his former team-mate and England captain Wayne Rooney can inspire the Three Lions to their first Euro title this summer in France, the "?Mirror reports.
The pair have been involved in some controversial meetings between the two nations, such as England's penalty shoot-out loss in the 2004 Euro's after Rooney's broken foot, and the infamous 'Ronaldo-wink' to the Portuguese touchline after Rooney was sent off for a stamp on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho, the latter also ending in penalty shoot-out heartbreak for England.
Despite previously enduring a fractious relationship since those meetings, the pair have settled their differences, and the Real Madrid star has expressed his excitement at facing the England skipper on the pitch once more:
"A match against England would be very emotive for me "? because of Wayne Rooney and because of many other things too. Roo is now a leader and that's not a surprise."
"I was always convinced that he would be a star for England and, inevitably, captain one day. It's a perfect role for him after the era of Beckham and Terry."
"For me, the character and pride of Rooney is unique "? he's still very important for England."
Ronaldo also spoke of his admiration for the current England side, indicating how he is expecting Roy's men to be challenging towards the latter stages of the competition:
"I've watched some of England's recent matches and they have been good to watch. They could do well this time."
"For me, England always have a chance to do well in big tournaments and this time they are arriving in France with some interesting young players who have a big future. The connection in the team and the team spirit looks positive."
"Both Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane have scored a lot of goals and had success this year too."?
However, the Champions League winner reiterated how the focus was on completing the job in the group stage, as well as their opening game in group F against Iceland, before talk of winning the Euro's:
"The press may say we are favourites, but that's normal. Our first objective is just to make sure we get to the second phase."
"I think we are good enough to do it. Portugal have big players playing in the best leagues in the world. So why not?"
"But we need to stick together on the pitch and hope that luck is with us."