Cristiano Ronaldo (right) would relish the chance to face Wayne Rooney at Euro 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo admits it will be an emotional experience if he comes up against former team-mate Wayne Rooney at Euro 2016.

Ronaldo and Rooney spent five years together at Manchester United between 2004 and 2009, winning a glut of trophies including the Premier League and Champions League.

The pair have met twice before on the international stage at major tournaments in two fiery encounters between England and Portugal.

Both played at Euro 2004 when Portugal defeated England on penalties at the quarter-final stage, a match which saw Rooney suffer a broken foot. 

The sides met again two years later in the last eight of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, when Rooney was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Ricardo Carvalho, with England once again going out on penalties.

Ronaldo (left) remonstrates with the referee after Rooney stamped on Portugal team-mate Ricardo Carvalho

Ronaldo was famously caught on camera winking to the touchline as Rooney made his way off the pitch, but the incident did not damage their friendship and the Portugal captain would relish the opportunity of a third meeting in the knock-out stages in France.

"A match against England would be very emotive for me - because of Wayne Rooney and because of many other things too. Roo [Rooney] is now a leader and that's not a surprise," he told the Sunday Mirror.

Rooney played 78 minutes of England's 1-0 win over Portugal

"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 Beckham and Terry.

"For me, the character and pride of Rooney is unique - he's still very important for England."

England defeated Portugal 1-0 at Wembley in their final warm-up match ahead of their Group B opener against Russia in Marseille on Saturday.

Ronaldo, whose side open up against Group F rivals Iceland on June 14, added: "I've watched some of England's recent matches and they have been good to watch. They could do well this time.

"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 Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane have scored a lot of goals and had success this year too."