Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane has claimed that he quit smoking at the age of 11.
Keane grew up in Cork before moving to England in his late teens to join Nottingham Forest.
He recently revealed during an appearance on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast that he and his friends used to smoke the ‘odd cigarette’ until he was inspired to stop by watching the 1982 World Cup on television.
During the episode, podcast host Gary Neville read out a question from a listener, who had asked: ‘What tournament did you fall in love with football?’
Neville answered the question himself. ‘1982 World Cup,’ he replied. ‘Bryan Robson scoring the goal. I remember getting home from school and watching it.’
Roy Keane recently said on The Overlap that he stopped smoking cigarettes at the age of 11Â
Keane said that he decided to quit after being inspired by watching the 1982 World Cup, which was famously won by an Italy team containing Paolo Rossi (left) and Claudio Gentile (right)
Keane then joined the conversation by saying: ‘100 per cent agree. ’82 World Cup, amazing. I remember we used to play football after the games in the evening.
‘In 1982, I would have been 11. I was with my friends and we were playing football and we’d have the odd cigarette when we were about 11.
‘I was playing and they went: “Are you having this?” And I remember going: “I’m giving them up. I’m giving them up. I want to be a footballer. I’m giving them up, lads.”‘
Keane’s story, which was told while wearing a cheeky grin, thoroughly amused his fellow panelists – Neville, Jill Scott and especially Ian Wright.Â
Italy won the 1982 World Cup in Spain, beating West Germany 3-1 in the final at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
England, Scotland and Northern Ireland were among the 24 teams that entered the tournament.
Ian Wright (left) could not contain his laughter as Keane told the story of him quitting smoking
England’s Bryan Robson (left) and West Germany’s Uli Stielike (right) pictured in action in 1982
Scotland exited during the first group stage, before England and Northern Ireland were eliminated at the end of the second phase.
The Golden Boot was won by Italy forward Paolo Rossi.Â
