Watch Eric Cantona’s bonkers speech as Man Utd legend quotes Shakespeare’s King Lear during Champions League draw

ERIC CANTONA was at his brilliant and bonkers best when he received his award from Uefa looking like a farmer... and then gave a Shakespeare-inspired speech on the ageing of human body cells!

The Manchester United legend, 53, took centre stage to pick up the President's Award for his commitment to helping improve the lives of others ahead of the Champions League draw.

The Frenchman was receiving the President's Award for his help in improving the lives of so many people

And then he burst into the staggering spiel, starting off by quoting from King Lear.

Donning a casual red shirt, jeans and a flat cap, Cantona said: "As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods. They kill us for their sport."

He added: "Soon the science will be able to slow down the ageing of the cells, to the state. Soon we will become eternal.

"Only accidents, crimes, wars, will still kill us.

"Unfortunately, crimes, wars, will multiply. I love football. Thank you."

Unsurprisingly, the great and the good of European football - including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - were left visibly baffled by the words of... err... wisdom.

Cantona famously left football fans baffled back in 1995 with another bizarre philosophical edict.

After winning an appeal against a two-week prison sentence for his kung-fu kick on a Crystal Palace fan - getting 120 hours of community service instead - Cantona spoke his infamous words.

"When seagulls follow the trawler it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea," he said before walking out of the press conference to laughter and confusion.

24 years later, plenty lauded the United icon on social media for his latest cod philosophising.

Others, though, could not get their head around what was going on.

One wrote: "Why does Eric Cantona look like he stepped off a fisherman's boat? And now ranting about human cells?"

Another said: "Ronaldo and Messi sat next to each other, both equally perplexed at Cantona's incredulous 'science will freeze cells, we become immortal, crimes multiply' speech. I love football."

A third added: "Eric Cantona discussing the degradation of cells and the apparent soon-to-be-eternal nature of human life as he accepted his prize at the #UEFAawards is even more Eric Cantona than I think he expected."

And finally, a user tweeted: "Cantona just mashed up a bit of King Lear and spoke about cells being fixed by science. King."

Messi and Ronaldo's reaction to Eric Cantona's speech...

Absolutely brilliant 😂 pic.twitter.com/Z6xBYRHLjP

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 29, 2019

Are we sure that’s Eric Cantona & not Saddam Hussein back from the dead? 😂 #UCLDraw pic.twitter.com/FYx1qZOozB

— Sarah James (@SJview) August 29, 2019

Why does Eric Cantona look like he stepped off a fisherman’s boat? And now ranting about human cells? pic.twitter.com/NKKT9h0oxJ

— Sergio Já Foste 🔴⚪️ (@Sergio_R81) August 29, 2019

Eric Cantona discussing the degradation of cells and the apparent soon-to-be-eternal nature of human life as he accepted his prize at the #UEFAawards is even more Eric Cantona than I think he expected

— Edd Dracott (@EddDracott) August 29, 2019

Cantona just mashed up a bit of King Lear and spoke about cells being fixed by science. King

— AEC (@ItAllAdZzUp) August 29, 2019