FIVE PLAYERS WHO RETURNED TO HAUNT THEIR FORMER EMPLOYERS
CRISTIANO RONALDO
THE Portuguese star had made his name at Old Trafford but had long hankered for a move to Real Madrid; he would belatedly get his way in 2009 and eventually return to haunt his erstwhile mentor Alex Ferguson.
Drawn together in the 2012/’13 Champions League last 16, Ronaldo scored in a 1-1 draw in Spain before repeating the feat in a clinching 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
“I feel a little bit sad because it is not easy to forget this home. I played for six years here and the people were very nice to me. It was quite a strange feeling.”
DENIS LAW
DIFFERENT era, same sinking feeling for United as one of their most famous sons condemned them to relegation with one of the most infamous goals in their history.
The Scot played in the 1968 European Cup final win which marked the transformation from Munich Air tragedy to the affirmation of the re-built ‘Busby Babes’, only to be sold as the club’s fortunes declined.
In 1974, Law played his final league game but in City colours at United’s home; his solitary goal did not precisely relegate his former club – they were doomed anyway – but it still hurt him as much as it did United, whose fans had generously received him at kick-off.
“I have seldom felt so depressed in my life as I did that weekend,” Law later said.
LUIS FIGO
FIGO was the great defector, one of the few to move to Barcelona from Real Madrid, a move loaded with not merely football intensity but political import, too.
Rabid locals tossed a pig’s head on to the field in disgust; Leinster fans are unlikely to toss crubeens in Carbery’s direction but, in a week when a cabbage was tossed in Steve Bruce’s direction who can tell!
“I was worried that some madman might lose his head that night.” Figo was right; except the madman lost something else’s head instead.
BRETT FAVRE
THE legendary quarterback issued more retirement threats than Sinatra until the Green Bay Packers called his bluff in 2008 and appointed Aaron Rodgers as his successor to end his 16-year career.
Favre returned with the Packers’ age-old rivals, the Minnesota Vikings, in 2009 and 24 of 31 passes, 271 yards and three touchdowns.
His side lost but he issued an ominous statement that would presage his second coming shortly afterwards.
“I wasn’t out to prove anything. I know I can play. My statement is what I’ve done over my career.” The home fans wore T-shirts that read ‘Buck Frett’ (one for the spoonerists among you). He would have the last laugh, firing off four TD passes for a sweet success.
KARL O’DWYER
DESPITE his famous lineage, the son of ‘Micko’ was surplus to requirements for Páidí Ó Sé’s Kerry side, who were reigning All-Ireland champions when the Kingdom locked horns with Kildare in the 1998 All-Ireland semi-final.
However, O’Dwyer, who managed Ó Sé during his eight All-Ireland successes, would unfurl a secret weapon in the Croke Park semi-final – a jilted son of Kerry, and a proud son of ‘Micko’.
“I had good friends on that Kerry team, so it was never going to be a feather in my cap or a thing I would gloat about,” O’Dwyer Jnr said, after scoring three points for his adopted county in a famous win for the Lilywhites.