Sir Bobby Charlton has backed England to win Euro 2012 if they can overcome Italy in the quarter-finals.
Sir Bobby was speaking after he carried the Olympic flame as it passed Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium on Sunday morning.
The 1966 World Cup winner and Manchester United hero was one of 151 torchbearers who are carrying the torch as it makes its way from Manchester to Leeds.
Asked about his thoughts on England's chances in tonight's game, the 74-year-old said: "If England can beat Italy, England will win it. If we beat Italy tonight we can start getting excited. I really think we can win it."
He added: "I just get a little feeling that if we can get past Italy, who are the toughest and the most physical, then I think we have an opportunity."
He said the European Championship was "not the World Cup but it's the next best thing."
"And why not? We've got good players and the manager seems to have turned a corner. Everybody just seems to be so excited that we have a chance," he added.
Sir Bobby carried the flame from Water's Reach to Old Trafford stadium, which is an Olympic Football venue.
He stopped to speak to cheering fans in front of the iconic Trinity statue, which depicts United's 'Holy Trinity' of himself, George Best and Denis Law.
Hundreds of people got up early and braved the rain to watch a football legend carry the Olympic flame in Manchester.
Sir Bobby said: "This is magic. This is a great place and the fans have been great."
He said he was overwhelmed by the amount of fans who had shown up to see him.
"This time in the morning. It's staggering isn't it? But they like to be part of it and it's just a happy time," he said. "I'm so proud and so pleased. It's something that we worked for and it's culminated in a fantastic time."
Sir Bobby handed the flame to Heather Davidson, 23, from Manchester. Heather was nominated for her courage in her overcoming her Cerebral Palsy and various other medical conditions to campaign on behalf part of young people.
Today the relay will travel 121.35 miles culminating in an evening celebration at Temple Newsam, Leeds.
The Olympic flame arrived in Britain from Greece on 18 May and the relay began at Land`s End, Cornwall, the next day. A total of 8,000 people will carry the flame during its 8,000-mile, 70-day journey to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London on 27 July.