Patrick Vieira has named Roy Keane as the toughest opponent he faced during his time playing in England.
The former Arsenal captain spoke to Sky Sports Football about the biggest challenges of his career and immediately picked out Keane when asked about his hardest opponent in English football.
Vieira and Keane were at the centre of one of the Premier League’s most famous rivalries during their playing days. Both were captains and key figures for their respective clubs, making their battles in midfield particularly intense.
Vieira picks Roy Keane above all others
Asked who gave him the biggest problems in England, Vieira didn’t hesitate.
“In England, I would say Roy Keane, of course, because I believe that he is one of the best.”
The Frenchman also named another midfielder who tested him at international level.
“At international level, Edgar Davids was tough to play against. When we played a couple of games against each other for France and Holland, he was a tough one to play against as well.”
Keane and Vieira spent years going up against each other in some of the biggest matches in the Premier League. Their rivalry became a defining part of the era, with neither midfielder willing to give the other much room.
The Irishman captained Manchester United and became known for his intensity, leadership and competitiveness in midfield. Vieira, despite being one of the finest midfielders of his own generation, clearly regarded Keane as a special opponent.
The pair’s battles have long been remembered by Premier League fans, and Vieira’s latest comments add another reminder of just how good Roy Keane was.
