Eric Cantona was the guest of honour at a recent fan event in Thailand and gave his thoughts on the modern game.
Truth be told, Eric Cantona has always done things a little differently. Football’s ultimate maverick, the Frenchman was the inspiration for Manchester United to end the club’s title drought in the early 1990s.
While the football world is currently focused West at World Cup 2026 in the USA, Eric Cantona has flown East to an event in Thailand.
Cantona was the special guest at FC Online Thailand’s 8th anniversary celebrations, a two-day meet and greet celebrating the country’s passion for the beautiful game.
Local outlet Gavroche Thailand pictured Cantona on stage at an event at the Seacon Square shopping mall, with fans packing it to the rafters to get a glimpse of the legendary footballer.
Speaking on stage, the ever-quotable Cantona did not disappoint, dropping a soundbite to remember.
VOTE NOW for your pick between Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo
Who was the best Manchester United number 7 between these two icons?
Eric Cantona: I would score 80 goals
During his time at Manchester United from 1992 to 1997, Eric Cantona scored 82 goals for Manchester United, a figure that really does not do justice to the huge impact he had at the club.
Former United captain Cantona believes that he if he played in the modern era, he would score this amount in a single season.
He said: “Today, referees protect attackers too much. Defenders have a much harder time playing. They have to constantly watch their movements and keep their arms close to their bodies.
“If I were playing today, I would score at least 80 goals per season.”
At the time when Cantona played, defenders were able to get away with a lot rougher treatment of attackers.
If you ever get a chance, look up old United vs Wimbledon matches to see the kind of treatment Cantona got from Vinnie Jones and co.
Beautifully, Cantona was able to give it back and give out physical treatment of his own, even if he would occasionally take it a step too far.
In a modern era where defenders are refereed a lot more harshly, Cantona would be freer to score a lot more goals – no matter what you think of his own lofty target.
Eric Cantona claims he would score 80 goals per season in the modern era – What do you think?!
👑 The King has spoken…
Cantona: The movie
If you still cannot get enough of King Eric three decades on, look out for an upcoming movie about the great man.
The simply titled ‘Cantona’ was shown at the recent Cannes Film Festival, a documentary about his glorious and occasionally turbulent time in English football.
“I should have kicked him even harder. He deserved it,” Cantona is quoted in the film, speaking about his infamous kung-fu kick at Selhurst Park.
Directed by duo David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas, the 1 hour and 55 minute showing also features Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham.
Look out for it when it is eventually released.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
