Robbie Keane reacts to Mikey Johnston talk live on Brazilian sports show
Ferencvaros head coach Keane was called out of the blue by his former Inter Milan teammate Vampeta, a co-host of Jovem Pan Esportes.
The pair were signed around the same time in the summer of 2000, and both left that winter - Keane to Leeds United on-loan and Vampeta to Paris St Germain.
Keane, with 14 appearances, played twice as many games as his Brazilian pal.
The call began with Vampeta asking Keane how he was, before passing the phone over to co-host Pilhado, who quizzed the former Ireland skipper in English.
Keane added that Johnston was getting 'better and better' as a player.
Johnston was on Saturday linked with a sensational €6m move to Flamengo, who are currently top of the Brazilian Serie A.
West Brom are currently in Austria for a pre-season training camp, but Johnston has not joined his teammates, according to the latest reporting in the Express and Star.
Baggies officials are working on the potential move and Johnston is expected in Brazil this week to finalise the deal.
It would be a most remarkable transfer, with Johnston becoming the first Irish player to line out in Brazil's top-flight.
Keane last week was involved in another surprise move by a Boys in Green star, when he signed Callum O'Dowda to his Hungarian champions from Cardiff City.
Here's how the conversation with Jovem Pan Esportes went…
Vampeta: 'Hello Keane, amigo, how are you?'
Robbie Keane: 'How are you?'
Vampeta: Fine
Keane: Yeah, are you good?
Vampeta: Yes, good man.
Keane: How are you my friend?
Vampeta: Fine. One minute please.
Pilhado: Hi, I'm Vampeta's friend, how are you? Let me ask a question. We are in a programme in Brazil live, I want to know, do you know Mike Johnston, a striker from Ireland?
Keane: Yeah, Michael, he's a winger, a left-winger, he's really small and fast.
Pilhado: (Translates answer) But let me ask you something, he is a good name for Flamengo, a Brazilian team here?
Keane: 'I'm with my Brazilian (fades out, but likely referring to Ferencvaros assistant coach Leandro de Almeida)... The fans will like him, because he is really fast and skillful.
Pilhado: 'Do you think he is a good player for a big team in Brazil?
Keane: 'Yeah, I think he is getting better and better. Also, he is a good guy.
Pilhado: 'Thank you so much. Vampeta tells me he loves you.'
Keane: 'Tell him I love him.'
Pilhado: 'Roberto Carlos is with us also.'
Keane: 'Ah, Roberto, my best friend. I love him.'
Pilhado: 'Thank you so much.'
Keane: 'Ciao guys.'
You can watch the exchange here...
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