Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that it would be a special game should they meet England and Wayne Rooney in the Euro 2016 knockout stages.
The pair have played together for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferugon, but it is on the international front where they have been involved in a number of tense matches.
Both players started when Portugal defeated England on penalties in the quarterfinals at Euro 2004, with Rooney suffering a metatarsal injury in that game.
Two years later, the two nations clashed at the World Cup in Germany, where Rooney was sent off for a stamp on Ricardo Carvalho, with Ronaldo caught on camera with that infamous wink as his club teammate trudged off the pitch.
Fresh from his UEFA Champions League triumph with Real Madrid, Ronaldo has now switched his focus to the showpiece event in France, where Portugal will take on Hungary, Austria and Iceland in Group F.
Should Portugal make it out of the group and into the next round, a potential clash with Roy Hodgson's England team is in sight, something that would be extra emotional for the Madrid forward.
"A match against England would be very emotive for me -- because of Wayne Rooney and because of many other things too. Roo is now a leader and that's not a surprise." Ronaldo told The Mirror.
"I was always convinced that he would be a star for England and, inevitably, captain one day. It's a perfect role for him after the era of [David] Beckham and [John] Terry.
"For me, the character and pride of Rooney is unique -- he's still very important for England."
England need to negotiate Group B where they will face resistance from Russia, Slovakia and Wales.
As for their chances of winning the tournament, Ronaldo reckons the current England strike force of Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane could see them go far in France.
"I've watched some of England's recent matches and they have been good to watch. They could do well this time," he added.
"For me, England always have a chance to do well in big tournaments and this time they are arriving in France with some interesting young players who have a big future. The connection in the team and the team spirit looks positive.
"Both Vardy and Kane have scored a lot of goals and had success this year too."
Despite his keen interest in a potential clash against the Three Lions, Ronaldo is focused on Portugal's opening game on June 14 against Iceland, and he has warned his teammates not to buy into the pre-tournament buzz that his country are firm favourites to make the next stage.
"It doesn't matter what people say, the opening group is always tough," he said.
"The press may say we are favourites, but that's normal. Our first objective is just to make sure we get to the second phase."
As for his personal ambitions to win a first piece of silverware with Portugal, Ronaldo feels that Euro 2016 could be a good opportunity to fulfil his dream, especially with head coach Fernando Santos at the helm.
He said: "It's a personal dream to win a big trophy with my country. There's a chance it can happen, but it's complicated, it's difficult. So, let's see.
"I have won a lot of big trophies in in my career -- the biggest you can win -- but a title with my country is always important. It's a big, big dream to fulfil.
"I think we are good enough to do it. Portugal have big players playing in the best leagues in the world. So why not?
"But we need to stick together on the pitch and hope that luck is with us.
"We have good players, a good coach in Fernando Santos and we need to believe in ourselves."