Eric Cantona remains an icon in his own right - not least because of his footballing skills.

We all remember the former Manchester United player's infamous philosophical response to that kung-fu kick controversy back in the 1990s, when he said: "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea."

Now, the Frenchman is at it again with a seriously profound/nonsensical speech that no one can quite make sense of, but everyone is talking about.

Cantona was accepting the UEFA President's Award last night when he made the sombre pronouncement, which began with a Shakespeare reference and seemingly had absolutely nothing to do with football.

How the presenter (and the audience) managed to keep such a poker face is beyond us. If this was in Ireland, you know the reaction would've been: "......... aahhhhhh g'wan outta that will ya, Eric!'

Here's the full text:

"As flies to wanton boys, we are to the gods. They kill us for the sport.

"Soon the science will not only be able to slow down the ageing of the cells; soon the science will fix the cells to the state. And so we become eternal.

"Only accidents, crimes, wars will still kill us. But unfortunately crimes and wars will multiply.

"I love football. Thank you."

People had their own interpretations...