Joleon Lescott has revealed that England players were left stunned after failing to recognise a young Cristiano Ronaldo during a youth international match. The former Manchester City defender recalled how the winger tormented both full-backs in a defeat for England's Under-20s.
In 2003, England's Under-20s faced Portugal in France, and Lescott recounted how an unknown Ronaldo forced the manager to substitute both full-backs, who had been given a chasing. The forward joined Manchester United just weeks later.
Speaking on the In The Mixer podcast, Lescott said: 'We played Portugal and everyone knew Quaresma. But the other winger had the elite boots on. We were all thinking, 'Who is this guy?' It was Cristiano. We didn't know him. He got both full-backs subbed that game. They swapped them over and both came off.'
Nedum Onuoha, Lescott's former City team-mate, also shared a similar experience from a 2005 European Under-21 Championship qualifier against France, where Franck Ribery left a lasting impression. Onuoha recalled seeing a 'weird-looking feller' before a two-game masterclass from the French winger.
Onuoha added: 'It's funny looking back at those times. I've started to realise just how many people I ended up playing with or against at that age group.'
